Diagnostic Laparoscopy – Purpose and Procedure

DIAGNOSTIC LAPAROSCOPY – Purpose and Procedure By: Dr. VALERIA SIMONE MD (SOUTHLAKE GENERAL SURGERY, TEXAS)

OVERVIEW Diagnostic laparoscopy is a technique to examine the reproductive organs and abdominal organs. This procedure helps in biopsies such as a collection of tissue samples for tests and diagnosis of various medical disorders. A laparoscopy procedure is a safe surgical method with low risks.

What is laparoscopy? According to Dr. Valeria Simone MD, an experienced board-certified general surgeon and expert in diagnostic laparoscopy at Southlake General Surgery, Texas, a laparoscopy procedure is a diagnostic surgical treatment, to examine the reproductive and abdominal organs in your body. This procedure is also used to collect sample tissues for analysis. A laparoscope is a small cylindrical tube with a camera on top inserted through a small incision in the abdomen to examine the organs. This help will help the surgeon to view inside the abdomen and examine organs such as: • Gallbladder • Spleen • Pancreas • Ovaries • Liver • Stomach • Uterus • Fallopian tubes

If ultrasound and X-ray fail to reveal the underlying cause of a disease, your doctor may advise a laparoscopy. Your doctor may suggest a laparoscopy procedure to: • A tissue mass examination • Check for fallopian tube obstruction or other infertility factors. • Identify the source of any abdominal and pelvic pain. • It verifies pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis.

What should I do to get ready for a laparoscopy? An individual needs to adhere to the following guidelines prior to the hospital for a laparoscopy: • The night before your surgery, avoid eating, drinking (even water), and smoking after midnight. • On the day for Laparoscopic Surgery, wear flat shoes. You may feel sleepy and struggle to walk due to the anesthesia effect. • Remove all jewelry. (Wedding rings are permitted.) Nail paint must be removed before surgery. • Put on comfortable clothing. After surgery, you can experience some cramping and abdominal soreness.

What tests are usually performed prior to a laparoscopy? Before your diagnostic laparoscopy, your doctor may need to perform a few tests and collect some medical information about your health. This includes: • Report from Pathology • Lab tests • Earlier X-rays from a different facility. • Tissue samples • Operative report • Slides from Cytology Additionally, your doctor might request other tests, such as CT scan, Ultrasound, and MRI.

In what way is laparoscopy performed? Diagnostic laparoscopy is performed on a patient who is unconscious and laying on their back in a posture that is slightly inclined, with their head lower than their feet. During surgery, you will be given general anesthesia to help keep you from feeling any pain and to relax your muscles. After that, a short incision is created close to the navel. After making this incision, the laparoscope will be put through it. Your abdomen will be expanded so the surgeon can more easily see your inside organs. It is possible that the laparoscope to be fitted with surgical instruments, allowing for the removal of scar tissue and the collection of tissue samples. Your doctor may additionally create a second incision along the pubic hairline as part of the procedure. This incision creates a second aperture that can be used to insert instruments that are necessary for performing minor surgical procedures. In most cases, you will spend the first hour or so following surgery in a special room designated as a recovery area. After that, you will be transferred to an outpatient surgery unit to undergo further observation.

Once you receive the instructions for your home recuperation, then you will be released from the hospital. After a laparoscopy, the typical recovery time for a patient is between three and four hours, once the doctor allows, you will be free to leave the hospital. For individuals who undergo this treatment, it is quite uncommon for them to require a bed in the hospital for the night. Between two and eight weeks after your laparoscopy, you will need to go back to your doctor’s office for follow-up appointments. Before you leave the hospital, you should check with your doctor about when your follow-up appointment will be. Before undergoing surgery, it is essential to be aware that you will be unable to drive for 24 hours afterward. It’s imperative that you have a designated friend or a family member who can pick you up and be with you for the first 24 hours of your trip.

Is laparoscopy a safe procedure to perform? In general, laparoscopy is a relatively risk-free procedure. It is one of the advantages of this process that your doctor will be able to provide a precise diagnosis of your problem. Three out of every 1,000 women who undergo the procedure experience difficulties. The following are a few examples of prospective issues: • Anesthesia-related issues. • A blood clot could move to the heart or brain and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. It is extremely unlikely and rare. • Infection. • Injury to surrounding organs and blood veins. • Bleeding. • Abdominal wall inflammation. • A blood clot could get into the bloodstream and cause clotting in the legs, pelvis, or lungs. Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about any doubts. Your doctor will be able to tell you about any possible risks and tell you how likely you are to have them.

After a laparoscopy, what can you expect? Laparoscopy patients are usually able to return home within a few hours. You’ll have to wait until the effects of the anesthesia have gone off and your doctor has confirmed that the treatment hasn’t caused any complications for you. At home, you’ll rest and heal after your laparoscopy.

How do I recover from a laparoscopic procedure at home? It is important to note a couple of things when you are recuperating at home after a laparoscopy. These recommendations include the following: • After surgery, you are free to take a shower or a bath whenever you like. • In the first 24 hours following surgery, refrain from consuming alcohol or operating a motor vehicle. • The bandage can be taken off the day after surgery. Two to three days after surgery, the tape-like STERIS strips can be taken off. • If your urine is green, don’t worry about it. It’s possible that a blue dye was used to see if your fallopian tubes were open during the procedure. • Most people can go back to work three days after having surgery. If you require a doctor’s note excused from work, you can ask for one during your pre-operative appointment.

Do laparoscopy procedures cause discomfort? Like many other surgical procedures, laparoscopy may result in some discomfort. These annoyances could include: • The possibility exists that you’ll feel a little queasy. The night before surgery, eat a light dinner. Tea, soup, toast, or crackers may help alleviate your stomach cramps. • Your throat could be sore for a couple of days. Use a throat lozenge if you’re experiencing a sore throat. • There may be some discomfort in your neck, shoulder, and chest for 24 to 72 hours after surgery due to abdominal gas. You can use a heating pad, take a warm shower, or go for a walk to relieve stress. • It is possible that following surgery, you will experience swelling in your abdominal region for many days. To alleviate the discomfort, you could try taking some acetaminophen.

Can I anticipate vaginal bleeding following laparoscopy? Up to one month after a laparoscopy, it’s usual to have vaginal bleeding. For many women, it takes 4 to 6 weeks after surgery before they may resume their regular menstrual cycle. Heavy bleeding and discomfort may occur when your regular period returns. Before deciding whether a laparoscopy has improved your condition, give it two to three menstrual cycles.

How soon after a laparoscopy can I start the sexual activity? After a week, you can go back to being sexual. But you can still get pregnant while you are healing. Using a contraceptive is the best way to avoid becoming pregnant. • Let’s explore more: Diagnostic Laparoscopy - Purpose and Procedure - Southlake General Surgery

Appointment For more information on Laparoscopy, Laparoscopic Surgery, and Diagnostic Laparoscopy. You can contact our healthcare expert today at +1 (817) 748-0200. You can also make an online appointment with us. Follow us on Facebook and YouTube. • Source: Diagnostic Laparoscopy - Purpose and Procedure - Southlake General Surgery

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