Laparoscopy – Diagnostic Procedure Performed at Nyle Hospital

Laparoscopy involves the surgical procedure done to view the abdominal area by making a small incision in the navel region for insertion of laparoscope (tubular device). This tube has a miniature camera on the eyepiece, thereby enabling the surgeon to view the abdomen and pelvic organs through a video monitor connected on others side of the tube. Along with this, small cuts can be done nearby for inserting any other devices. This procedure is usually recommended for diagnosing certain conditions or for carrying out specific operations, and is less invasive when compared to laparotomy (open surgery of abdomen).

Diagnostic Procedure

As a form of diagnostic procedure, surgical laparoscopy is helpful in capturing biopsies of lymph nodes and pelvic or abdominal growths. It facilitates the physician to thoroughly examine the pelvic organs including liver, appendix, gallbladder, stomach and intestine. Certain cases wherein the symptoms of gynecological or pelvic pain cannot be determined by ultrasound or physical examination, laparoscopy is opted by doctors. For instance, ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, ovarian cysts or blocked fallopian tubes can be diagnosed by this procedure. Moreover, it serves as a vital tool for determining the reason for infertility. Laparoscopy is extensively suggested for noncancerous therapy replacing open surgery, including removal of gallbladder (cholecystectomy) and appendix (appendectomy). It is commonly advised for:

gastroenterology – involving conditions that affect the digestive system

gynecology – involving conditions that affect the female reproductive organs

urology – involving conditions that affect the urinary system

Need for Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is effective in diagnosing conditions such as:

Uterine fibroids

Endometriosis

Ovarian tumors or cysts

Pelvic pus or abscess

Ectopic pregnancy

Painful scar tissue or pelvic adhesions

Reproductive cancers

Infertility

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Risk Associated with Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a normal procedure performed by healthcare providers and rarely encounters serious complications.

Minor complications

Some of the minor complications likely to occur in 2 out of 100 cases include:

infection

slight bleeding and bruising near the area of incision

feeling tired and vomiting sensation

Major complications

Some of the serious complications likely to occur in 1 out of 1,000 cases include:

damage of organ, including bladder or bowel resulting in malfunctioning of organ

damage of major artery

clotting of blood in vein, commonly in any one of the legs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), resulting in pulmonary embolism (breaking off or blocking the blood flow to the blood vessels of the lungs)

general allergic reactions to the anesthesia that was used during the procedure

complications emerging from carbon dioxide gas that is used for the procedure, including the entry of gas bubbles into arteries or veins