Patient Preparation

Positioning

Patients undergoing laparoscopic myotomy are placed in a modified lithotomy position. A beanbag is placed, and the arms are tucked at the sides. The surgeon stands in between the patient’s legs, and the assistant usually stands on the patient’s left side. Monitors are placed at the head of the bed, and one is placed on the right side of the patient for the assistant to see the screen.

Monitoring & Follow-up

Typically, patients receive liquids the evening of their operation. They are then advanced to a soft diet and discharged the following day. Treating nausea aggressively with antiemetics is important. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks. Most patients resume normal activities within 1-2 weeks and a regular diet in 2-6 weeks.

Technique

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