Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy (say "lap-uh-ROSS-kuh-pee") is a type of surgery that uses very small cuts. These cuts are called incisions.

The doctor puts a lighted tube through incisions in your belly. This tube is called a scope. Then the doctor puts special tools through the tube to do the surgery.

The surgery may be done to diagnose a condition, repair or remove an organ, or see if cancer has spread.

For some surgeries, you can usually go home the same day.

The incisions from the surgery usually leave several scars about half an inch long.

Laparoscopy is done to:

• Check for and possibly take out abnormal growths (such as tumors) in the belly or pelvis.
• Check for and treat conditions such as endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
• Find conditions that can make it hard for a woman to become pregnant. These conditions include cysts, adhesions, fibroids, and infection. Laparoscopy may be done after early infertility tests do not show the cause for the infertility.
• Do a biopsy.
• See if cancer in another area of the body has spread to the belly.
• Check for damage to internal organs, such as the spleen, after an injury or accident.
• Do a tubal ligation.
• Fix a hiatal hernia or an inguinal hernia .
• Take out organs, such as the uterus, spleen, gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), ovaries, prostate, or appendix (appendectomy). Partial removal (resection) of the colon also can be done.
• Find the cause of sudden or ongoing pelvic pain.

Laparoscopy is done by a surgeon or a doctor of women's health (gynecologist). General anesthesia is most often used. But other types of anesthesia, such as spinal anesthesia, may be used. Talk with your doctor about what choice is best for you.

About an hour before the surgery, you will empty your bladder. You will get fluids and medicine through an intravenous (I.V.) in a vein in your arm. You may get a medicine (sedative) to help you relax.

Several procedures may be done after you get your anesthesia and are relaxed or asleep.

• An airway will be placed in your throat to help you breathe if you get general anesthesia.
• A thin flexible tube (urinary catheter) may be put through your urethra into the bladder.
• Some of your pubic hair may be shaved.
• Your belly and pelvic area will be washed with a special soap.
• For women, your doctor may do a pelvic exam before putting a thin tube (cannula) through your vagina into the uterus. The cannula lets your doctor move your uterus and ovaries to get a better look at the belly organs.

During laparoscopy, a small incision is made in the belly. More than one incision may be made if other tools will be used during the surgery. A hollow needle is put through the first incision. Then air is slowly put through the needle to inflate the belly. The air lifts the abdominal wall away from the organs inside so your doctor can see clearly.

A thin, lighted tube (laparoscope) is then put through the incision to look at the organs. Other tools can be used to take tissue samples, fix damage, or drain cysts. A laser may be attached to the laparoscope to help with the surgery.

After the surgery, all the tools will be removed and the air will be released. The incisions will be closed with stitches and covered with a bandage. The scar will be very small and will fade over time.

After the laparoscopy, you will go to the recovery room. How long you stay will depend on why you had the surgery.