Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy at a glance
- A laparoscopy is minimally invasive surgery that allows a doctor to view the internal organs and perform an operation without making a full surgical incision.
- Gynecologic oncology laparoscopies may be performed for women who may have endometriosis, need a biopsy or have undetermined infertility issues.
- The procedure lasts from 30 to 90 minutes and is typically performed under general anesthesia, generally on an outpatient basis.
- Recovering from a laparoscopy takes less time than traditional surgery — usually only a few days.
What is a laparoscopy?
A laparoscopy is a type of minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to view internal organs and repair or remove tissues. It is an alternative to open surgery, which involves a large incision to give the surgeon access to the internal organs.
Most commonly an outpatient procedure, a laparoscopy uses a laparoscope, a thin, lighted tube with a video camera that is inserted through a small abdominal incision. The camera projects the internal images on a computer screen. The surgeon then views the area to examine organs and can also perform corrective surgery.
Patients undergoing laparoscopies have faster recovery times compared to traditional surgery since the surgeon does not need to cut through the entire abdominal wall to get to the organs. The smaller incisions in laparoscopy also reduce scaring, post-surgical pain, and risk of blood clotting or infection.
A laparoscopy can be performed for several gynecologic oncology reasons including to:
- Identify tumor or abnormal growths in the pelvic region
- Confirm endometriosis and/or provide treatment
- Perform a biopsy
- Explore why a woman may be experiencing infertility.
A laparoscopy may also be used in a variety of non-oncology procedures, including hysterectomy, knee and shoulder surgeries.
How is a laparoscopy performed?
Laparoscopies are usually performed under general anesthesia and take about 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the procedure. Endometriosis laparoscopies may take longer if surgical treatment is made in the same procedure.
The surgeon makes a small incision in the belly. He or she guides a small, hollow needle (the laparoscope) through the incision. Carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide slowly fills the needle that expands the abdomen so that the organs and abdominal wall separate, allowing the surgeon to see more clearly.
Depending on the procedure plan, the surgeon may then diagnosis a condition, perform a biopsy, remove endometrial tissues or perform another surgical procedure. If performing a laparoscopy surgery, the surgeon uses special instruments that are inserted via an incision under the belly button and possibly through others at a low, generally not visible part of the belly.
Once the surgeon is finished, he or she removes all tools used and releases the gas from the abdomen back through the laparoscope. The incisions are sutured and the patient is typically monitored for a few hours before returning home.
Risks & side effects of laparoscopy
Risks of a laparoscopy include infection, abnormal bleeding and organ or blood vessel damage. Incision areas will bruise for a couple of days following a laparoscopy. Following the procedure, some women may be bloated or feel nauseous. Sometimes the gas used during the procedure irritates the diaphragm muscle and causes tenderness.
Obese patients are not good candidates for a laparoscopy because the extra fat makes the procedure hard to complete. Those who are obese will undergo an open laparoscopy if needed, which involves a much larger incision point. In general, laparoscopies have fewer risks and side effects than traditional surgical options and are the recommended course for procedures such endometriosis or ovarian cysts.