Diagnostic Laparoscopy

A laparoscope is a small metal instrument equipped with a light and high quality camera that is able to examine the organs and tissues located in your abdominal region. Laparoscopy is a word that means “to look in the abdomen” and that is exactly what happens. The procedure is easy and relatively painless because all it takes is a very small incision somewhere around your abdomen. Once the laparoscope is inside your abdomen the images are then displayed on a HD television so the doctor can make correct examinations. If you receive a laparoscopy you will be able to return home the same day as your surgery.

Who Needs Diagnostic Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopies are used most commonly to identify the quality of a woman’s vital reproductive organs such as the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. Laparoscopy is not a first option when trying to identify a fertility problem, but it can be recommended after other diagnostic tests yield inconclusive results.

A diagnostic laparoscopy can be used in the case where your fertility doctor thinks that your fallopian tubes may be blocked. By performing this procedure a surgeon can quickly confirm or deny the doctor’s thinking. This procedure can be used to diagnose and identify a number of additional diseases and defects and once discovered, operative laparoscopy may be performed to fix them.

Benefits of Diagnostic Laparoscopy

By making use of diagnostic laparoscopy you will be able to find out what problems you are suffering from as well as how to fix them much faster than you would be able to with many other diagnostic procedures. If you are worried about stitches or unsightly scars there is no need to be because the incision made is so small that not even a single stitch is necessary. The time it takes to recover from this procedure is a lot shorter than it is for a lot of other procedures. The last big benefit that diagnostic laparoscopy offers is that it is so minimally invasive that most patients do not even require pain medicine.

Process of Diagnostic Laparoscopy

The first thing that happens when undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy is that you will be put to sleep using anesthesia. You are then stuck with a needle that pumps Carbon Dioxide gas into your abdomen. The carbon dioxide is necessary because the gas provides enough space to make the reproductive organs visible to the doctor. The laparoscope is then inserted in the same incision that was used for the needle as to prevent unneeded wounds. The camera on the end of the tool transmits images from the abdomen on to a TV that makes the images big and clear for the doctor to examine.

The entire procedure is recorded so that the doctor is able to see everything again later. In most every case you are also given the same recording just so you can see what the procedure looked like.

When using the laparoscope the doctor can see the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, intestines, liver, spleen, and appendix. If the fallopian tubes are believed to be blocked a special dye is injected to confirm or deny that belief.

After Effects of Laparoscopy

Since diagnostic laparoscopy is such a simple and not vey invasive surgery, post-procedural complications are quite rare. In fact, only about .003% of people receiving this procedure ever suffer from harsh side effects. Soreness around the area where the incision is made is typical but should retreat after a few days. If you suffer from any, more severe side effects it would be a good idea to contact your doctor immediately. 

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