Understanding Laparoscopy

Overview

What is Laparoscopy?

A Laparoscopy is a kind of surgery that enables a surgeon to view the inside of a patient’s body without creating a significant incision. It is generally used to identify and occasionally treat diseases that arise in the pelvis or belly. The procedure is done by creating a tiny incision (no more than half an inch) near the belly button which is then followed by placing a laparoscope, a long, thin tube with a camera, through the body incision to check the insides of the body which transmits images from inside the body to a television monitor, aiding in the diagnosis of the disease¹Overview| Researched based study from Medlineplus.gov

Uses

What purpose does a Laparoscopy serve?

The Laparoscopy procedure aids in the diagnosis of:

• Urological conditions (such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections)
• Female reproductive system disorders (conditions that affect the uterus, ovaries, and/or fallopian tubes)
• Digestive disorders

Additionally, it also helps the healthcare provider to:

• Investigate inside parts of the body such as organs and glands to check for infections, scar tissue, bleeding, and/or abnormal growths such as cancer
• Perform a biopsy by obtaining tissue sample from an affected region
• Assess the spread of tumor in other parts of the body.

Laparoscopy may also be used in the following situations:

• When imaging studies are unable to identify the origin of a patient’s abdominal/pelvic pain, and/or other symptoms
• When a patient has experienced a severe accident and has severe organ damage
• When a patient is told they have a specific type of cancer and their doctor needs to know if cancer has spread to other parts of the body for devising the treatment plan
• When a patient’s liver tests are abnormal and the doctor is unsure of what has caused it. ¹Uses| Researched based study from Medlineplus.gov
• Additionally, a few women may require this procedure to find the causes of infertility and to diagnose symptoms associated with diseases of reproductive organs such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, and/or endometriosis¹Uses| Researched based study from Medlineplus.gov

Precautions

What kind of things should you avoid doing before getting a Laparoscopic procedure?

You should adhere to the following recommendations before having laparoscopic surgery, which may include:

• Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, and even water, after midnight the night before surgery.
• Wear flat shoes on the day of the procedure as the anesthesia may cause drowsiness and make you unstable to stand on your feet.
• Avoid wearing jewelry
• Put on comfortable clothing as after surgery, you can experience some cramping and abdominal soreness.
• Prior to surgery, nail polish must be removed²Precautions| Researched based study from Clevelandclinic.org

Side effects

Are there any potential side effects or risks of undergoing the Laparoscopy procedure?

Yes, however serious side effects following a laparoscopic treatment are quite uncommon.

• A patient may suffer slight abdominal pain/discomfort for a few days
• Mild neck/shoulder ache
• Bleeding, infection, blood clots, and/or damage to an organ or blood vessel
• A small number of patients may experience side effects from the sedatives used during the procedure¹Side effects| Researched based study from Medlineplus.gov

• After a laparoscopy, vaginal bleeding might happen for up to a month. After surgery, many women don’t begin their next regular menstrual cycle for four to six weeks. When your menstruation resumes its regular course, you can suffer more bleeding and discomfort than usual. Before assessing whether a laparoscopy has relieved your symptoms, wait two to three menstrual cycles²Side effects| Researched based study from Clevelandclinic.org

If you suffer from any of the following side effects, speak with your healthcare professional right away:

• Continuous nausea and vomiting that lasts more than 24 hours
• Fever over 100°F that lasts more than 24 hours
• Redness, swelling, discomfort, drainage, or bleeding that occurs around the wound
• Respiratory difficulties, or shortness of breath.
• Menstrual flow that is heavier than usual with clots after the first day of surgery.²Side effects| Researched based study from Clevelandclinic.org

Contraindications

Contraindications of Laparoscopy

• A prior operation in the region
• Extensive bleeding/infection
• Cardiopulmonary conditions (disorders that affect heart and lungs)²Contraindications| Researched based study from Clevelandclinic.org

Patients scheduled for prior operation in the region

• Laparoscopy is not advised in such patients since it increases the risk of scarring and adhesions, which can make it difficult to access or visulize the internal parts.

Extensive bleeding/infection

• Patients with extensive bleeding/infection are not recommended for this procedure since it makes it too difficult for the healthcare provider to view the internal parts through a laparoscope.

Self care

How do I recuperate from a Laparoscopy at home?

There are a few things to follow after your laparoscopy is completed since it’s crucial to recover at home which include:

• Driving and drinking should be avoided for at least 24 hours following surgery.
• After the treatment, the bandage should be removed followed by the removal of steri-strips which resembles tape
• Three days after surgery, routine work can be resumed.
• If your urine is green, you shouldn’t be frightened because it’s possible that a blue dye used to check your fallopian tubes produced the color change in your urine.²Self care| Researched based study from Clevelandclinic.org
• One week following surgery, a woman can resume sexual activity.
• Pregnancy can nevertheless still occur during the recovery phase. Contraceptives should be used if pregnancy is intended to be prevented²Self care| Researched based study from Clevelandclinic.org

Results

What do the Laparoscopy findings indicate?

• The outcome of a laparoscopy depends on the procedure’s intended use.
• What was discovered and how it implicates your health will be explained by your healthcare practitioner.
• With the use of laparoscopy, your doctor will typically be able to diagnose your illness quite precisely.¹Results| Researched based study from Medlineplus.gov

Takeaway

Takeaway tips

• A laparoscopy is a kind of surgery used to identify and occasionally treat diseases that arise in the pelvis or abdomen
• It is usually indicated to diagnose urological conditions, female reproductive system disorders, and/or digestive disorders
• The procedure does not cause serious side effects but may cause slight abdominal pain/discomfort for a few days along with mild neck pain or shoulder aches in addition to bleeding, infection, and/or blood clots
• Vaginal bleeding is common in women post laparoscopy which may last for one month
• The result of a laparoscopy test depends on the procedure’s intended use with criteria of what was discovered and how the condition implicated the health of the patient
• Following laparoscopy, it’s important for the patient to heal at home which is achieved by following the recommendations advised by the doctor.