Glossary letter index
Terms starting with L
8 terms indexed.
Laparoscopic Surgery
A minimally invasive surgical technique in which a camera (laparoscope) and specialised instruments are inserted into the abdominal or pelvic cavity through small incisions, allowing the surgeon to perform complex procedures without a large open wound. It is associated with reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and quicker return to normal activities compared to traditional open surgery.
LASIK
Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is the world's most commonly performed refractive eye surgery, in which a thin corneal flap is created and lifted, an excimer laser reshapes the underlying stroma to correct the refractive error, and the flap is repositioned. Most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, with a rapid visual recovery typically within 24 hours.
Lifetime Cap
A limit on total benefits payable under an insurance policy over the policyholder's lifetime, regardless of how many separate claim events occur. Many travel and health insurance policies have separate sub-caps for specific categories (repatriation, dental, pre-existing conditions). Medical-tourism patients should verify both the headline lifetime cap and the sub-caps that apply to their planned procedure category.
Liposuction
A surgical procedure that removes localised deposits of excess subcutaneous fat through small incisions using a thin tube (cannula) connected to a suction device, sculpting the body contour in areas such as the abdomen, thighs, flanks, and arms. It is a body contouring procedure rather than a weight-loss treatment and is best suited to patients close to their ideal body weight with good skin elasticity.
Lithotripsy
A procedure that breaks down stones (commonly kidney or gall) using shock waves (extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, ESWL) or laser energy (intracorporeal laser lithotripsy). Outpatient procedure under sedation or anaesthesia. Stone fragments pass naturally over subsequent days; complications include bleeding, infection, and rarely renal injury.
Local Anaesthesia
The injection of anaesthetic agents into a specific area of the body to block nerve signals and eliminate pain sensation in that region without affecting consciousness, allowing minor surgical procedures to be performed on a fully awake patient. It may be used alone for small procedures or in combination with sedation for greater patient comfort.
Lymphatic Drainage
A gentle, specialised massage technique that stimulates the lymphatic system to remove excess fluid, proteins, and cellular waste from tissues, commonly recommended after liposuction and other body contouring procedures to reduce swelling and promote healing. Manual lymphatic drainage therapy is typically performed by a trained therapist as part of the post-operative recovery protocol.
Lymphoedema
Chronic swelling caused by impaired lymphatic drainage, most commonly seen after axillary lymph-node dissection for breast cancer or after pelvic node surgery for gynaecological or urological cancers. Treatment is conservative — compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, and skin care. Surgical options (lymphovenous anastomosis, vascularised lymph-node transfer) are available at specialist centres.