Laparoscopy

Posted October 1, 2022 by Anusha ‐ 3 min read

A laparoscopy is one way to get a closer look at the organs in your abdomen and your reproductive organs. This procedure can be used to help diagnose different medical conditions

What is Laparoscopy?

  • Laparoscopy is a type of diagnostic surgical procedure that your healthcare provider can use to look inside your body at your abdominal and reproductive organs.
  • This procedure can also be used to collect samples of tissue (biopsies) for testing.
  • A laparoscope a thin tube similar to a telescope is passed through a small incision (cut) in your abdomen.

Using the laparoscope, your provider can look directly at the outside of your:

  • Uterus.

  • Ovaries.

  • Fallopian tubes.

  • Liver.

  • Pancreas.

  • Gallbladder.

  • Spleen.

  • Stomach.

Uses of Laproscopy

Your provider might use laparoscopy to:

  • Find the cause of pain in the pelvic and abdominal regions.

  • Examine a tissue mass.

  • Confirm endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.

  • Look for blockage of the fallopian tubes or for other causes of infertility.

How to prepare for Laparoscopy?

Please follow these guidelines before coming to the hospital for your laparoscopy:

  • Do not eat, drink (including water) or smoke after midnight the day before your surgery.

  • Wear low-heeled shoes the day of surgery. You might be drowsy from the anesthesia and unsteady on your feet.

  • Do not wear jewelry. (Wedding rings may be worn.)

  • Wear loose-fitting clothing. You will have some abdominal tenderness and cramping after surgery.

  • Remove any nail polish before surgery.

Procedure of Laproscopy

  • A laparoscopy is done while you’re lying down in a slightly tilted position, with your head lower than your feet.

  • You’ll be given a general anesthetic to relax your muscles and prevent pain during surgery.

  • Next, a small incision is made near the navel. The laparoscope is inserted through this incision.

  • Your abdomen is inflated to make the organs easier to view.

  • The laparoscope might also be equipped with surgical devices for taking tissue samples or removing scar tissue.

  • Your provider might also make a second incision at the pubic hairline.

  • This incision provides an additional opening for instruments needed for completing minor surgical procedures.

  • After surgery, you’ll usually stay in a recovery room for about one hour.

  • Then you will be taken to an outpatient surgery unit for continued observation.

  • You will be discharged after you receive instructions for your home recovery.

  • In most cases, you can leave the hospital about four hours after laparoscopy.

  • It’s rare that a patient will need to stay in the hospital overnight after this procedure.

  • You’ll be asked to return to your healthcare provider’s office for follow-up appointments within two to eight weeks of your laparoscopy.

  • Please confirm your follow-up appointment schedule with your provider before leaving the hospital.

  • One important thing to note before going in for surgery is that you won’t be able to drive for 24 hours after surgery.

  • Make sure you have someone available to pick you and stay with you for those first 24 hours.

After Laproscopy procedure

  • In most cases, you can go home not long after your laparoscopy.

  • You’ll need to wait until your anesthesia has worn off and your healthcare provider has made sure you aren’t experiencing any side effects from the procedure.

  • In the days following your laparoscopy, you will recover at home.

Recovery after Laproscopy

While you’re recovering at home after your laparoscopy, it’s good to keep a few things in mind. These tips include:

  • Don’t drink alcohol or drive for at least 24 hours after surgery.

  • You can bathe any time after surgery.

  • You can remove the bandage the morning after the surgery. Steri-strips which look like tape can be removed two to three days after surgery.

  • You can typically return to work three days after surgery. If you need a doctor’s letter excusing you from work, please request one at your pre-operative appointment.

  • Do not be concerned if your urine is green. A blue dye might have been used to check if your fallopian tubes are open.

lab-tests lab-investigations investigations laproscopy

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