Diagnostic laparoscopy: procedures, safety, side effects, and benefits

Definition

What is diagnostic laparoscopy?

Diagnostic laparoscopy is a medical procedure that uses a telescope to view the abdomen and pelvic organs.

This measure also has advantages over major operations. Such as faster recovery, less pain and much less scarring.

This internal abdominal and pelvic examination can provide important information as well as find out what causes lower abdominal pain, pelvic pain, infertility, to general gynecological disorders.

This procedure is divided into two types and is carried out according to your condition.

Diagnostic laparoscopy only looks at the inside, whereas surgical laparoscopy is a combination of looking at the condition as well as surgery.

This laparoscopic surgery or procedure is also done to check if you have:

Endometriosis
Pelvic infection
Adhesion
Fallopian tube damage
Ectopic pregnancy
Ovarian cysts or fibroids.

When do I need to have a diagnostic laparoscopy?

When other tests cannot provide sufficient data for diagnostic needs, laparoscopy can provide the necessary data in detail.

That said, this operation is performed when the problem in the body cannot be found by an external physical examination alone.

Moreover, when you have fertility problems that require a laparoscopy to prepare for pregnancy at a later date.

This test can also be done to take a biopsy. The doctor will recommend a laparoscopic test to examine the following organs:

Appendix
Gall bladder
Heart
Pancreas
Small and large intestine
Spleen
Stomach
Pelvic or reproductive organs

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before undergoing laparoscopic surgery?

There is a risk of infection when undergoing a laparoscopy. Therefore, you may be given antibiotics to prevent complications from occurring.

Diagnostic laparoscopy may be done if the intestines are swollen, there is fluid in the stomach (ascites), or have had surgery before.

Then, laparoscopic surgery or surgery is also needed when women experience pelvic pain and other conditions related to the inside of the abdomen.

Are there any alternatives?

Laparoscopic surgery or surgery is performed when the previous tests performed are not sufficient to conclude the diagnosis.

Like a blood test, ultrasoundx-rays, and CT scans as needed to find out the cause of your particular symptoms.

Process

What should I do before a diagnostic laparoscopy?

Your doctor may ask you to fast or not to eat anything 8 hours before the test.

In addition, your doctor may also ask you to stop taking certain medications, including pain medication, before the laparoscopy test is performed.

Another thing to remember, you should not change or take drugs without your doctor's permission. Follow procedures prescribed by medical personnel.

How does this work?

As explained a little above, laparoscopic surgery is a procedure performed by doctors to view internal organs including female reproductive organs.

Quoted from the Cleveland Clinic, this action uses a laparoscope.

A viewing tube similar to a telescope, but thin. It takes a small incision in the abdomen to insert this tool.

This operation is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes about 20 minutes.

This leaves you feeling no pain or even remembering the procedures performed indoors.

The doctor will operate a small section or two in the stomach. Then a surgical instrument is inserted together with a telescope so that it can see the inside of the abdomen and perform minor medical procedures.

The visible organs include the outside of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and surrounding organs.

Some of the conditions that doctors may find after performing surgery, such as:

Find the cause of pain in the pelvic area and abdomen.
Check if there is soft tissue.
Confirm endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Look for fallopian tube blockage problems.
Causes of infertility or other fertility problems.

What should I do after laparoscopy?

After having surgery or laparoscopic surgery, it is possible to go home the same day.

Your doctor will advise you about the results of the laparoscopy and discuss the right treatment for you.

However, the thing that is immediately felt is discomfort in the throat, wounds around the stomach, as well as in the shoulder area. This is due to gas pressure from the stomach.

You can rest for one to two weeks and take pain medication if needed.

Then, regular exercise will help you get back to normal activities right away.

However, ask your doctor for advice beforehand to find out the right type of exercise.

Types of laparoscopic surgery for women

Laparoscopy is commonly found in the treatment or medication related to female fertility problems.

This is because laparoscopic surgery or surgery has an important and useful role to play in treating infertility.

One of them increases the chances of pregnancy.

Here are some types of surgery or laparoscopic surgery on female reproductive organs with certain conditions, such as:

1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is one of the causes of difficulty getting pregnant in women. That is, when the tissue lining the uterine wall grows and accumulates outside the uterus.

Laparoscopy of endometriosis is performed by removing cysts or scar tissue in the abdomen using heat or laser.

Actions are taken for several conditions, including when:

Hormone therapy cannot control the symptoms of endometriosis
There is scar tissue or cysts that grow and interfere with the function of other organs in the stomach
Endometriosis is thought to render women infertile

2. Abnormal tissue

It is possible that there are adhesions or abnormal tissue in the abdominal area in the body.

Therefore, surgery or laparoscopic surgery can remove the tissue as well as the pain that is felt.

After cutting, the structure will return to normal and in some cases restore fertility.

3. Polycystic ovary syndrome

This condition, which is known as PCOS, can also be treated by performing laparoscopic surgery or surgery.

Although not a common thing, it can be an option for women to trigger ovulation.

An electrocautery or laser device is needed to destroy part of the ovary as a way to restore the ovulation cycle.

4. Ovarian cysts or tumors

These problems in the body can also be found using laparoscopy.

However, there is the possibility that you cannot immediately be treated at the same time. This also applies to fibroids inside the uterus.

Removing uterine fibroids with the help of laparoscopy can relieve cramps as well as heavy menstrual bleeding.

5. Ectopic pregnancy

Laparoscopic surgery or surgery can also find fetal tissue lodged in the area of the fallopian tube.

Depending on the condition, all or part of the fallopian tube can be removed.

Complications

What complications can occur?

Laparoscopy is very safe to do. However, it does not rule out the possibility of complications even though the chances are relatively small.

The most common complications are bleeding and infection, but they are rare. However, every operation carries a risk of complications, for example:

Reaction to general anesthesia.
Inflammation of the abdominal wall.
Bleeding from the incision.
Blood clots, which can spread to the pelvis, legs, lungs, heart or brain (rarely).
Organ or blood vessel damage.

Return to the hospital immediately and see a medical officer if you experience: