Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure used to diagnose medical conditions and perform surgery inside your belly (abdomen) and between your hips (pelvis).
You may have questions or uncertainties if you’re considering or scheduled for this procedure. Read on to learn more about laparoscopy and what to expect before, during and after surgery.
What is a laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy, also known as minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery, is a procedure used to examine the abdomen and pelvic area. It uses a laparoscope — a thin, flexible tube with a light and tiny camera at the end — to enable both diagnosis and treatment. This approach allows surgeons to examine organs visually, take tissue samples (biopsies) and perform surgery at the same time.
Unlike traditional open surgery, which requires a large cut (incision), laparoscopic surgery involves small incisions. The tube is put in a small cut made through the belly button (navel). Additional instruments are inserted through two other incisions on the abdomen to perform surgical procedures if needed.
Laparoscopy is performed while you are asleep (general anesthesia) and may be inpatient (you stay in the hospital) or outpatient (you go home after surgery) procedure, depending on what surgical procedure is being done.
How is laparoscopic surgery different from robotic surgery?
Today, some laparoscopies use a robot. In robotic or robotic-assisted surgery, a surgeon sits at a console and controls the robotic arms to perform the surgery. The type of laparoscopic surgery selected (traditional laparoscopy or robotic-assisted) will be dependent on your surgeon and your condition.
Who performs laparoscopy?
Who performs your laparoscopy will depend on the symptoms and condition you have. A laparoscopy can be done by specially trained surgeons in:
Why may I need a laparoscopy?
Your provider may recommend this procedure for many reasons, including:
- Diagnostic procedures: Surgeons use laparoscopy to look for the causes of problems in the digestive system, reproductive organs or urinary tract. It may also be used to look closely at an abnormal area seen on an imaging test, like an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI.
- Treatment of conditions: Laparoscopy allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures to treat certain cancers, abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and infertility, or remove the fallopian tubes for permanent sterilization. It can also be used to repair hernias and treat gallbladders or appendix.
- Biopsies: During laparoscopy, tissue samples can be taken for further examination to diagnose conditions like cancer, ovarian cysts or endometriosis.
- Sterilization: In gynecology, laparoscopy may be used for permanent contraception by blocking or cutting the fallopian tubes (tubal ligation).
Possible complications of a laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is generally a safe procedure, but like any surgery it carries potential risks. These risks, though rare, include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Damage or injury to an organ or blood vessel
- Blood clots in the legs or lung
- Needing a laparotomy (an open surgery with a larger cut)
- Reaction to the medication (sedative or general anesthesia) that helps you relax and sleep during surgery
If you have any worries or questions about getting a laparoscopy, it's important to talk to your provider. They’ll help you understand everything and keep you safe during the procedure.
How to prepare for a laparoscopy
Your provider will give you specific instructions on how to prepare, but here are a few steps to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Sign a consent form: You may be asked to sign a form giving your provider permission to perform the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask your provider if anything is unclear.
- Adjust medications: Your provider may ask you to adjust or temporarily stop your medications and/or dosage, especially blood thinners, to reduce the risk of bleeding during the procedure. If you have ongoing conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, your provider will give you specific instructions about your medications.
- Tests: To prepare for the procedure, you may need to complete blood tests, urine tests or imaging scans.
- Make arrangements: Laparoscopies are only performed in an operating room under general anesthesia. In that case, you will be instructed when to stop eating and drinking. In most cases, you will go home the same day. You will also need to have someone take you home afterward.
Let your provider know if you have allergies or reactions to medications, latex or tape and if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
What to expect during a laparoscopy
How a laparoscopy is performed may vary depending on your condition and your provider’s practices.
In general, the surgical procedure follows this process:
- You will change into a hospital gown.
- You will lie on a bed or table, and various monitors will be attached to monitor your vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels.
- An intravenous (IV) line will be placed in your arm to give you medicine to make you comfortable and help you sleep.
- Once you are asleep, a tube will be gently put into your throat and hooked up to a breathing machine while the procedure is done.
- The surgeon will make several small incisions (usually less than an inch in length) in the belly or pelvic area for the laparoscope and other instruments to enter.
- Carbon dioxide gas will be put into your belly to expand it, to allow the surgeon to see your organs and perform the surgery.
- The laparoscope is inserted through one of the cuts, allowing the surgeon to see the abdominal organs on a monitor. Surgical tools are inserted through the other incisions to perform necessary procedures.
- The scope and instruments will be removed when the exam is done. Incisions will be closed with stitches, surgical staples or surgical tape. Generally, no stitches will need to be removed at a later visit.
Depending on the treatments needed, the procedure may take 30 minutes to several hours.
Recovery from a laparoscopy
After the procedure, you’ll be taken to a recovery area where you’ll rest until the effects of the medicine wear off. You may feel a little groggy or sleepy for a short time. Have someone bring you home after the procedure.
You may experience some discomfort, such as pain at the incision site or right shoulder from the carbon dioxide gas used to inflate your belly during the procedure. Your health care provider will prescribe pain medication and recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to help manage pain.
Your provider will provide additional instructions on how to care for yourself after the procedure. These may include:
- Avoiding heavy lifting or exercise for a few days to weeks following the procedure to allow your body time to heal
- You will also be asked to refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery or equipment for a few days after general anesthesia and while you are on oral pain medications.
- Keeping the incision site clean and dry
- Instructions on how to bathe or shower
- How to gradually resume eating and drinking
- Attending follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery
Call your provider immediately if you have any of the following:
- Fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, bleeding or oozing from the incision site
- Trouble peeing or pooping
- Stomach pain and nausea
Call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency department if you experience any of the following:
- Sudden chest pain
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing or gasping for air
- Sudden loss of consciousness
How do I understand my results?
Your provider will discuss the results of your laparoscopy with you. If problems are found, they will explain what they mean and discuss the next steps, such as further tests or treatments.
Expert care
Is a laparscopy right for you? Contact Banner Health today if you have questions about laparoscopy or need to schedule an appointment with a specialist. At Banner Health, we provide comprehensive, expert care to support your overall health and well-being.
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