What Is a Laparoscopy?

A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that lets doctors see inside your body without making a large incision. Typically, a laparoscopy takes less time and results in faster recovery than traditional, open surgery.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e4af7289-28e4-427e-93f5-2350880f9a3b
Overview Overview What Is a Laparoscopy? A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery that doctors use to diagnose or treat a variety of medical conditions. Your healthcare provider might recommend a laparoscopy if you have abdominal pain and diagnostic tests such as a physical exam, X-ray , or computed tomography (CT) scan are not able to clearly identify the cause of your symptoms or condition.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b5ea3aba-6de9-4c6d-a3be-d6ae4f360b16 During the procedure, a surgeon makes a small cut near your belly button and places a thin, lighted tube with a camera on it (called a laparoscope) through the incision. Magnified images from the camera are projected on a monitor, so the surgeon can see inside your abdomen or pelvis and, if necessary, operate.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293f03e4c7-1536-4f15-a3a8-2f38f5836c15 The surgeon may make additional minor cuts in your belly, through which they can insert other small instruments to take tissue samples for a biopsy or to perform other procedures.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629dcbfb33b-d129-4463-95d0-06170e9fd99e
Why It’s Done Why Is a Laparoscopy Done? Doctors perform a laparoscopy to find or treat health conditions that affect organs in the abdomen and pelvis.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cfa4d82f-94e8-4db4-911c-e042d4e32dfb When a laparoscopy is used to detect problems, it’s called a diagnostic laparoscopy. It can be performed for these purposes:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762952bc900b-382a-4204-be1b-5759647fa77c Find the source of pain. Look for tumors, growths, or cancer. Diagnose diseases that affect the liver, appendix, gallbladder, pancreas, intestines, spleen, or stomach. Spot conditions that affect the female reproductive system, such as ectopic pregnancy , endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and fibroids. Identify blockages or injuries. Locate bleeding inside the belly. Look for infection. Find adhesions (scar tissue). Additionally, if doctors notice abnormal-looking tissue, they can perform a biopsy laparoscopically. This involves removing a small piece of tissue and sending it to a lab to be analyzed.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762920dc08e0-38a7-4423-bf47-4671a1b41520 If a problem is found, it can sometimes be handled during the same surgery.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629538c3696-adbf-47d8-8de2-80596034e8f0 When a laparoscopy is used to treat a condition, it’s called laparoscopic surgery. It may be done for these reasons:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762913d9b7b1-12a9-491b-bf70-813b9659013a Remove tumors, cysts, stones, polyps, or fibroids. Perform a tubal ligation (tie the fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy). Treat an ectopic pregnancy (one that occurs outside the fallopian tubes). Repair a hernia. Remove organs, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, gallbladder, ovaries, spleen, kidney, or appendix. Perform a bariatric procedure (weight-loss surgery) Take out part of the stomach or colon.
How It’s Performed How Is a Laparoscopy Performed? A laparoscopy is typically performed in a hospital or outpatient center. Usually, you are given general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep during the procedure.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291cec0b83-751b-487b-8ead-f2921ca0c6e0 Once the operation starts, your surgeon makes a small incision near your belly button. Carbon dioxide gas is pumped into your belly through a long tube to expand the space between your organs and make it easier for the surgical team to view the area.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291cec0b83-751b-487b-8ead-f2921ca0c6e0 Next, the surgeon inserts the laparoscope, which includes a camera that sends images onto a large screen, into the incision in your belly. They move the laparoscope around to look at your organs and tissue.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291cec0b83-751b-487b-8ead-f2921ca0c6e0 If you need to have a biopsy or laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon may need to make a few more small cuts in your abdomen. They insert special instruments to remove tissue or organs, or to perform other surgical procedures.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291cec0b83-751b-487b-8ead-f2921ca0c6e0 When the surgery is complete, the surgeon takes the tools out of your body. The carbon dioxide is also be removed, and the incisions are closed and bandaged.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291cec0b83-751b-487b-8ead-f2921ca0c6e0
How to Prepare How Do I Prepare for a Laparoscopy? Your doctor will probably tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your procedure. Follow your provider’s instructions carefully.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295316f30a-5e5d-40f3-82ad-aa068e2dd377 Here are some other ways you can prepare for a laparoscopy: Tell your doctor about all the medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. You may need to stop taking certain drugs, such as blood thinners , before your procedure.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297074425b-a73d-4392-ab01-6c6c60f83a17 Smoking may slow down your recovery. Let your doctor know if you smoke.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629689cb369-3d38-4d03-aaf2-c6e7312e12d1 On the day of the surgery, wear loose-fitting clothes and low-heeled shoes. Avoid wearing jewelry and remove any nail polish.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629689cb369-3d38-4d03-aaf2-c6e7312e12d1 Arrange to have a loved one pick you up after the surgery since you won’t be able to drive yourself.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295316f30a-5e5d-40f3-82ad-aa068e2dd377
What to Expect What Should I Expect During a Laparoscopy? You will likely receive general anesthesia before your procedure. Your medical team will deliver the medicines via an intravenous line in your arm. You’ll be asleep during the procedure, so you won’t feel pain or discomfort.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e6194eea-91fb-4c85-b6d0-71773557dcbe Generally, a diagnostic laparoscopic procedure takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. Laparoscopic surgery can take one to three hours. If surgeons can’t perform the procedure via the small incisions, there’s a chance they may need to make a larger incision and perform a traditional, open surgery.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629800a31da-2e17-4bda-b0ee-1dfd9fcf95b9 After your surgery, you’ll be moved to a recovery room. Most of the time, you’ll be able to go home that day, but the timeline depends on the type of procedure, your overall health, and other individual factors.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e6194eea-91fb-4c85-b6d0-71773557dcbe
Risks What Are the Potential Risks Associated With a Laparoscopy? Possible risks of a laparoscopy include the following:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762985bed401-db92-40af-9203-4d6cd646fd53 Bleeding Injury to organs or blood vessels Reactions to anesthesia Infection Swelling in the abdomen
Follow-Up Care What Type of Care Is Needed Following a Laparoscopy? After the laparoscopy, you’ll probably be able to go home the same day. Make sure a family member or friend takes you home from the hospital or surgery center, and follow the postprocedure care instructions from your doctor.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c4de45e2-736a-4690-ae4e-0a6f6720b431 When you get home, you’ll want to take it easy for a few days. You may have some pain and swelling after the surgery. Some people also experience bloating, cramps, or shoulder pain. Your doctor will tell you what medicines you can take to ease the discomfort.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629fd353caf-4330-4d80-8b84-26ff7f41ba80 Depending on how complicated your laparoscopy was, your health before your surgery, how well you recover, and the type of work you do, you may be able to return to your job a few days to weeks after your procedure.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629fd353caf-4330-4d80-8b84-26ff7f41ba80 Some post-op recovery tips to keep in mind:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294d1fb9f4-b006-4438-937e-0daff6bb5eefe60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629fd353caf-4330-4d80-8b84-26ff7f41ba80 Don’t drink alcohol for at least the first day after your procedure. Be sure to keep your incision dry and clean. If you have a bandage, you can remove it the morning after your surgery. Steri-Strips can be removed two to three days later, and glue should be left alone to fall off on its own. Get plenty of rest and allow yourself time to heal; remember that everyone recovers differently.
Complications What Are the Possible Complications and Side Effects of a Laparoscopy? A laparoscopy is generally a very safe procedure. However, there are risks of complications with any type of surgery.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293e1594ac-c703-4f62-b407-cca20c688918 Although rare, it’s possible to develop a blood clot that affects your legs, lungs, or pelvis. These clots can travel to your heart or brain, and cause a heart attack or stroke .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293e1594ac-c703-4f62-b407-cca20c688918 Infection is also a potential complication. Call your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293e1594ac-c703-4f62-b407-cca20c688918e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297db5c5a2-a55e-4639-a92c-935125b24bef Fever Chills Redness, warmth, or swelling around your incisions Trouble breathing Vomiting Leg swelling Trouble urinating
What’s Next If you have a diagnostic laparoscopy, your doctor will explain the results to you after your procedure. You may require another surgery to treat the problem. A few weeks after laparoscopy surgery, you’ll meet with your healthcare provider for a follow-up visit to make sure you are healing well.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f88df62b-27c5-45e4-ba1d-4219ff92f3af The Takeaway A laparoscopy is a procedure to find or treat different medical conditions. Instead of a large cut, a surgeon uses small incisions and special tools to perform a laparoscopy. The result is less pain and faster healing than traditional, more invasive surgery.