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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Illustration
Diagnostic Laparoscopy
What is a diagnostic laparoscopy?
A diagnostic laparoscopy is a procedure in which the doctor
uses a laparoscope to look into the peritoneal cavity. A
laparoscope is a thin metal tube with a light and tiny
camera. The peritoneal cavity is the space that contains
most of your abdominal and pelvic organs.
When is it used?
This operation may be performed if you have:
- pain in your abdomen
- trouble getting pregnant
- abnormal fluid in your peritoneal cavity
- an unexplained defect seen on a liver scan
- a possible tubal pregnancy or undiagnosed pelvic mass.
Depending on your problem, examples of alternatives may
include:
- trying other procedures, such as abdominal surgery
- having a liver biopsy
- having x-rays or sonograms taken
- choosing not to have treatment.
You should ask your doctor about these choices.
How do I prepare for a diagnostic laparoscopy?
Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Allow
for time to rest and try to find other people to help you
with your day-to-day duties.
Follow instructions provided by your doctor. 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 are given a general anesthetic, which relaxes your
muscles, makes you feel as if you are in a deep 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
the doctor see your organs. The doctor makes a small cut
near your belly button, puts in the gas, and then puts the
laparoscope through the cut. The doctor may put other
tools through small cuts elsewhere in the abdomen. To look
at the pelvis, for example, the doctor puts a tool through a
small cut in the lower abdomen. The doctor guides the
laparoscope to explore the area and look at certain organs.
If the doctor finds a growth that should not be there, he or
she may use the other tool to take a sample of the growth to
send to the lab for analysis. The doctor may remove the
growth altogether. When finished, the doctor removes the
laparoscope and the second tool and sews up the cuts.
What happens after the procedure?
You may stay in the hospital several hours or overnight to
recover from the anesthetic and be observed for problems
after the laparoscopic surgery. The anesthetic may cause
sleepiness or grogginess for a while. You may have some
shoulder pain and feel bloated. You may notice a change in
bowel habits for a few days.
You should avoid heavy activity such as lifting. You should
ask your doctor 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 minor surgical procedure may help the doctor make a
more accurate diagnosis without extensive surgery. Then the
doctor can suggest further treatment, such as medication or
surgery.
What are the risks associated with this procedure?
- There are some risks when you have general anesthesia.
Discuss these risks with your doctor.
- The abdominal organs, intestines, or blood vessels may be
damaged. The doctor may need to perform abdominal
surgery to repair them at the time of the procedure.
- The peritoneal cavity may become inflamed.
- You may develop an infection or bleeding.
- You may have some pain after the procedure.
You should ask your doctor how these risks apply to you.
When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor immediately if:
- You develop a fever.
- You develop redness, swelling, pain, or drainage from the
small incisions.
- You become dizzy and faint.
- You develop chest pain.
- You experience nausea and vomiting.
- You become short of breath.
- You have abdominal pain or swelling that gets worse.
Call the doctor during office hours if:
- You have questions about the procedure or its result.
- You want to make another appointment.
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