Women often sit in front of me and ask, “Doctor, if I ever need surgery, which is better for me, laparoscopic or open surgery?” Honestly, there is no single answer. Both have their place.
Doctor, what exactly is laparoscopy?
It is what we call keyhole or minimally invasive surgery. Small cuts, a camera inside, and tiny instruments do the work. Because the cuts are small, recovery is faster and pain is less. That is why minimally invasive gynecology surgery has become the preferred choice for fibroids, cysts, even hysterectomies.
I recall one patient who needed a hysterectomy. She was nervous about lying in bed for weeks. After laparoscopy, she was walking the next day and back to her job in a week.
And traditional surgery, what does that involve?
That is the older method. A bigger cut in the abdomen, longer recovery. For some complicated cases, like very large tumors, it is still the safer choice. Visibility for the surgeon is better, but the patient usually spends more time in the hospital.
Another woman I treated had a very large fibroid. Laparoscopy was not possible. We went with open surgery. Her recovery was longer, but the outcome was safe. That is what matters.
How about recovery time?
Look, this is where women see the biggest difference. A laparoscopic hysterectomy recovery is counted in days, not weeks. Less stitches, less discomfort, and back to routine life sooner. With open surgery, it takes weeks, sometimes months, for women to feel fully back to normal.
So which is safer?
Both are safe when done by experienced hands. The choice depends on the problem, the woman’s health, and sometimes the hospital’s facilities. When fertility is still a concern, we combine surgical planning with fertility and gynecology care so the woman knows the long-term impact.
Final thought
There is no one better answer. Laparoscopy offers faster recovery, traditional surgery is still needed for complex cases. At Sunflower Multispeciality, we look at the individual, not just the procedure. The best surgery is the one that is safest for the woman sitting in front of us.
