Laparoscopy
Description
A laparoscopy is a procedure in which the physician places a camera or laparascope into the abdomen and is able to visualize anatomical problems.
Procedure
A Laparoscopy has many uses it can be used to diagnose and remove endometriosis, remove ovaries or treat ectopic pregnancies in a same day surgery setting.
Laparoscopy has its advantages over open incisions. We use two to five small (<15mm) incisons. It allows for a much quicker recovery time and no hospital stay. Most people are back to work in a few days.
The pain you feel after a laparascope varies but most people complain mostly of shoulder pain. This is caused by the air we place in you abdomen to help distend it for proper visualization. It is common to have abdominal tenderness and sometimes even quite extensive abdominal bruising.
Risks
Risks include but are not limited to the following:
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Infection
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Bleeding
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Transfusion (with risk of HIV and hepatitis)
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Damage to bowel, bladder, ureters and major blood vessels
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Open incision with hospital stay
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Hysterectomy if needed to control life threatening bleeding
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Prolonged use of foley catheter
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Possible colostomy if bowel injury occurs
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Wound breakdown with prolonged wound packing
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Anesthesia risk
- Death
A laparoscope is a diagnostic procedure and may not cure your problem or pain. You may need a second procedure to treat the findings of the laparascope. If you surgery is for pain you are taking a risk that the surgery will not cure your pain!