What is laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery–it is an alternative to open surgery. It involves a surgical technique of small incisions that are usually smaller than one inch. Through these incisions, your doctor can use a tiny instrument called a laparoscope—along with other tools—to diagnose conditions, remove tissue, or repair problems in your reproductive organs.
When is laparoscopic surgery necessary?
When it comes to women’s health issues, doctors use laparoscopies to diagnose and treat several problems, including infertility, pelvic pain, or heavy periods. Your doctor might recommend a laparoscopy to address conditions like:
- Fibroids
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Cancer
- Tubal ligation
A laparoscopy might also be necessary if you need a hysterectomy. In that procedure, your doctor can remove pieces of your uterus, one at a time, through the incisions on your abdomen.
In other cases, laparoscopy is necessary if you have an ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg stays in your Fallopian tube instead of your uterus.
Laparoscopy can also be useful if you have issues with incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse.
Why is laparoscopy done for infertility?
Laparoscopy allows a doctor to see inside the body to evaluate the structures of the reproductive system, including the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, and uterus. It can help a doctor diagnose many conditions that affect fertility, such as endometriosis, blocked Fallopian tubes, scar tissue build-up, fibroids, or other abnormalities of the reproductive system.
What results can you expect from laparoscopic surgery?
Since laparoscopy is a minimally invasive type of surgery, recovery time is fast, and you can usually go home the same day as your procedure. Depending on what issues your surgery addressed, you will need to follow specific aftercare instructions.
Most patients need to rest for a few days after a laparoscopy, and you may experience some tenderness or pain where the doctor made the incisions. This discomfort usually subsides after a few days and is manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
What are the benefits of laparoscopy?
Although surgery isn’t something anyone looks forward to with great anticipation, the laparoscopy procedure has made it easy for doctors to diagnose and treat numerous problems related to the female reproductive system rather quickly.
Done early enough, a laparoscopy can help your doctor provide you with the best treatment plan, no matter what your needs are.
This information is provided for informational educational purposes only, and should not be considered as individual medical advice. Please discuss your specific situation with your medical provider.