Laparoscopy for Organ Examination

What is a laparoscopy?

A laparoscopy is a procedure in which your healthcare provider uses a laparoscope to look at the organs and tissues inside your peritoneal cavity. A laparoscope is a thin, lighted tube. The peritoneal cavity is the space that holds most of your abdominal and pelvic organs.

When is it used?

Your healthcare provider may suspect that something is wrong and may want to look more closely at your organs and tissues in the abdomen or pelvis. For example, if you have pelvic disease or endometriosis, your provider may want to take a closer look at the organs in your pelvis.

Examples of procedures that may be tried before a laparoscopy is performed include:

• an ultrasound scan, a scan with high-frequency sound waves
• a CT scan of the abdomen
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

You should ask your provider about these choices.

How do I prepare for a laparoscopy?

Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. Allow for time to rest and try to find people to help you with your day-to-day duties.

Follow your provider's instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers heal more slowly after surgery. They are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery. For this reason, if you are a smoker, you should quit at least 2 weeks before the procedure. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery. Also, your wounds will heal much better if you do not smoke after the surgery.

Follow any other instructions provided by your provider. Eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight and the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water.

What happens during the procedure?

You will be given a general anesthetic, which relaxes your muscles, puts you to sleep, and prevents you from feeling pain.

Your peritoneal cavity is inflated with carbon dioxide gas. This expands your peritoneal cavity like a balloon and helps your healthcare provider see your organs.

Your provider makes a small cut near the bellybutton, puts a laparoscope through this cut, and puts another tool through a second small cut in the abdomen. Your provider uses the laparoscope to look at the organs and tissues in your abdomen and pelvis. If your provider finds unusual tissue, a sample (biopsy) may be taken for lab tests. Endometriosis (tissue similar to the lining of the uterus that can bleed in the same way) can be treated or destroyed. It may be possible to do other needed treatment through the laparoscope, depending on what is found. Your provider then removes the scope and the tool and sews up the openings in the abdominal wall and bellybutton area.

What happens after the procedure?

You may stay in the hospital several hours or overnight to recover. The anesthetic may cause a little sleepiness or nausea for a while. You may feel bloated or notice a change in bowel habits for a few days. You may have some shoulder pain from the carbon dioxide gas used to inflate your peritoneal cavity.

You should avoid heavy activity such as lifting. You should ask your healthcare provider how much you should lift, what other steps you should take, and when you should come back for a checkup.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

This procedure may help your healthcare provider make a more accurate diagnosis of your problem. Some problems may be treated during the procedure.

What are the risks associated with this procedure?

• There are some risks when you have general anesthesia. Discuss these risks with your healthcare provider.
• The abdominal organs or blood vessels may be damaged. You may need abdominal surgery to repair them at the time of the laparoscopy.
• The lining of the abdominal wall may become inflamed.
• You may develop infection or bleeding.
• You may have some pain after the procedure.

You should ask your provider how these risks apply to you.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your provider right away if:

• You develop a fever over 100°F (37.8°C).
• You develop redness, swelling, pain, or drainage from the incisions.
• You become dizzy and faint.
• You have nausea and vomiting.
• You become short of breath.
• You have abdominal pain or swelling that gets worse.

Call during office hours if:

• You have questions about the procedure or its result.
• You want to make another appointment.