What Is Laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows your doctor to see inside your abdomen and pelvis using a thin telescope with a camera, called a laparoscope. It is performed through small incisions, usually near the belly button. Because the procedure uses small cuts, recovery is generally quicker and less painful than traditional open surgery.
Laparoscopy can be:
- Diagnostic: to look for the cause of unexplained symptoms or conditions.
- Operative: to treat problems at the same time, using small surgical instruments.
When Is Laparoscopy Recommended?
Your doctor may suggest laparoscopy to:
- Find the cause of pelvic or abdominal pain
- Evaluate infertility or repeated miscarriages
- Diagnose and treat conditions such as endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Look for fibroids, adhesions (scar tissue), or abnormalities of the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes
- Investigate abnormal bleeding or problems not explained by ultrasound, CT, or MRI
How the Procedure Is Done
- Laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia.
- A small incision is made near the belly button, and the abdomen is gently filled with gas (carbon dioxide) to create space for viewing.
- The laparoscope is inserted, and images are projected onto a monitor for the surgeon to see.
- If needed, one or two additional small incisions may be made to insert instruments.
- During operative laparoscopy, your doctor can remove ovarian cysts, fibroids, or scar tissue, treat endometriosis, or take biopsies for testing.
- At the end, the instruments are removed, the gas is released, and the small incisions are closed.
Recovery
- Most patients go home the same day.
- Mild bloating, shoulder pain (from the gas), or soreness around the incisions is common and usually improves within a few days.
- You may return to normal activities within a week, depending on what was done.
Risks
Laparoscopy is considered safe, but like any surgery, it carries some risks, including:
- Bleeding or infection
- Injury to internal organs (bowel, bladder, or blood vessels)
- Reactions to anesthesia
- Blood clots (rare)
Benefits
- Minimally invasive with small scars
- Shorter recovery time compared to open surgery
- Less postoperative pain
- Direct, accurate diagnosis of abdominal and pelvic conditions
- Ability to treat many conditions during the same procedure
