Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is performed using a special instrument called a laparoscope, a long, slender device inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. The laparoscope has a small camera fixed to it that allows your doctor to view the pelvic and abdominal organs.
If your doctor sees a potential problem, he or she can use other instruments, often inserted through additional incisions in the abdomen; however, they may be inserted through the incision made for the laparoscope. If so, this is called a single-site laparoscopy.
Benefits and Risks of Laparoscopy
There are numerous benefits to choosing laparoscopy for your surgery. Benefits of laparoscopy include:
- Less pain
- Smaller incisions
- Less scarring
- Shorter hospital stay
- Shorter recovery period
- Lower risk of infection
However, laparoscopy is not without its risks. Complications include internal bleeding, infection, damage to a blood vessel or hernias.
Surgeries Performed by Laparoscopy:
Generally, laparoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat issues related to chronic pelvic pain, infertility or a pelvic mass.
Laparoscopy can also be used for:
- Ovarian cysts – Although ovarian cysts may go away without treatment, but if they don’t go away, your doctor may suggest laparoscopy.
- Ectopic pregnancy – An ectopic pregnancy can be removed through laparoscopy.
- Endometriosis – If medications have not helped treat your endometriosis, laparoscopy may be recommended. If endometriosis tissue is found during your laparoscopy, it often can be treated in the same procedure.
- Fibroids – Fibroids are growths on the uterine walls, and sometimes outside the uterus. Most fibroids are non-cancerous, but a small number can be cancerous. Laparoscopy can be used sometimes to remove them.
- Bilateral Tubal Ligation – This procedure prevents the egg from being fertilized through cutting, burning, or removing sections of the fallopian tubes.
- Ovary Removal – Laparoscopy can be used to remove ovaries if issues are suspected.
- Hysterectomy – Hysterectomies are recommended for issues related for chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, or uterine prolapse. Talk to your doctor before hysterectomy surgery because it cannot be reversed.
Laparoscopy is performed with general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep.
Recovery
Your doctor will give you a guideline for when you can resume your daily activities following your laparoscopy. For minor procedures, it’s 1-2 days. For more complex procedures, it can be longer. Your doctor will determine how long you should rest.
After your laparoscopy, you may experience general discomfort for a few days. You will likely be sore around your incisions. Slight pain in the shoulder or back is common following your procedure.
However, if you experience severe pain, fever, heavy bleeding, fainting, nausea, swelling or discharge from your incision, it’s important to contact your OB-GYN right away.
Choose Sylacauga OB-GYN for Your Laparoscopy
The staff at Sylacauga OB-GYN can guide you on if a laparoscopy is right for your condition. We’ll discuss your concerns, goals and determine if minimally invasive surgery is right for you. Our trained staff provide effective women’s healthcare, tailored to your unique needs.