Laparoscopy
There are many benefits to laparoscopy, including a shorter hospital stay, smaller incisions and a shorter recovery. If you think you have a problem that could be helped with laparoscopy, please make an appointment to discuss your options with one of our physicians.
What is a laparoscopy?
A laparoscopy is a procedure in which your healthcare provider uses a laparoscope to look at the organs in the abdomen and pelvis, such as the liver, appendix or the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. A laparoscope is a thin tube with a light and tiny camera that is placed through a tiny incision, usually in the belly button.
When is it used?
A laparoscopy allows your healthcare provider to look more closely at organs and tissues in your abdomen or pelvis. It may help your provider find the cause of medical problems you may be having, such as:
- Pain, an abnormal lump, or fluid in your abdomen
- Liver disease
- Trouble getting pregnant
- A possible tubal pregnancy
- Laparoscopy can be used for treatment as well as diagnosis. For example, your provider may remove abnormal tissue.
How do I prepare for a laparoscopy?
Plan for your care and recovery after the operation:
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
- Allow for time to rest.
- Try to find other people to help you with your day-to-day duties.
Follow any other instructions your provider gives you. Eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure. Do NOT eat or drink anything after midnight and the morning of the procedure, including coffee, tea, or water.
What happens during the procedure?
You will be given general anesthetic, which relaxes your muscles, puts you to sleep, and keeps you from feeling pain.
Your provider makes a small incision in or just below your bellybutton. Your peritoneal cavity, which holds your abdominal and pelvic organs, is expanded with carbon dioxide gas, like a balloon. This helps your healthcare provider see your organs better. Your provider puts a laparoscope through the incision and uses it to look at the abdominal organs and tissues and guide other tools.
If an abnormal growth is found, your provider may take a sample of the growth to send to the lab for testing remove the growth. When finished, your provider releases most of the gas through the tube of the laparoscope, removes the scope and any other tools and sews up the cuts.
What happens after the procedure?
You may stay in the hospital for a few hours or overnight to recover, depending on what was done during the procedure. The anesthetic may cause sleepiness or grogginess for a while. After most laparoscopies, you may resume normal activities in a few days, but if you had more intense surgery, you may need to avoid heavy activity such as lifting for 3 to 6 weeks. Ask your healthcare provider when you can start lifting again and how much you can lift.
Your healthcare provider will discuss with you what was found, what was done and if anything else is needed. Ask your provider what steps you should take and when you should come back for a checkup.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
This minor surgical procedure may help our healthcare provider make a more accurate diagnosis. Then your provider can suggest further treatment. Some problems may be treated surgically when this procedure is done. Your stay at the hospital and the time needed to recover will be much shorter than with more extensive abdominal surgery.
