Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery has transformed gynaecological operations, replacing large incisions with a few small ones and allowing much quicker recovery. The addition of 3D imaging is a further step forward, and a 3D laparoscopy unit is in use at Leesons Hospital Ragama.

What 3D laparoscopy adds

In conventional laparoscopy the surgeon operates while watching a flat, two-dimensional screen. That means judging depth — how far one instrument is from another, or from a blood vessel — without the depth cues we normally rely on. Surgeons become very good at compensating for this, but it is a real constraint.

A 3D system restores that depth perception. The surgeon wears special glasses and sees the operative field with genuine three-dimensional depth, much as they would in open surgery.

In practice this makes precise tasks — particularly suturing and dissection close to important structures — more straightforward. Studies have found that 3D systems can shorten operating times and reduce the learning curve for complex laparoscopic tasks.

What this means for patients

The benefits patients notice are the benefits of keyhole surgery generally, which 3D imaging supports the surgeon in delivering:

  • Small incisions and minimal scarring
  • Less pain after the operation
  • Less blood loss
  • A shorter hospital stay
  • A quicker return to normal activity

It is worth being straightforward about the evidence: 3D imaging clearly helps the surgeon see and work more precisely, and it can shorten operating time. Whether it reduces complication rates compared with conventional laparoscopy is not firmly established. The honest position is that it is a useful advance in surgical technology rather than a transformation of patient outcomes.

Procedures it is used for

3D laparoscopy can be applied across gynaecological keyhole surgery, including:

Interview

Dr Chaminda Mathota discussed 3D laparoscopy and its role in gynaecological surgery in a television interview, which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_r4h9e75aM

The bottom line

3D laparoscopy gives the surgeon depth perception that conventional keyhole surgery lacks, supporting greater precision in delicate work. For patients, the advantages are those of keyhole surgery generally: smaller incisions, less pain and a faster recovery. If you are considering gynaecological surgery, ask your surgeon which approach they recommend for your situation and why.

References

  1. National Health Service. Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) [Internet]. NHS; [cited 2026 Jul 22]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/laparoscopy/
  2. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Patient information leaflets [Internet]. London: RCOG; [cited 2026 Jul 22]. Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/
  3. Sørensen SM, Savran MM, Konge L, Bjerrum F. Three-dimensional versus two-dimensional vision in laparoscopy: a systematic review. Surg Endosc. 2016;30(1):11–23.