Female Pelvic Laparoscopy

Female Pelvic Laparoscopy

How is female pelvic laparoscopy performed?

Are you sedated for laparoscopy?

How long does a pelvic laparoscopy take?

Preparing for laparoscopy

Is female pelvic laparoscopy safe?

How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic surgery?

Diagnostic laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that doctors use to view a woman's reproductive organs. A laparoscope, a thin viewing tube similar to a telescope, is passed through a small incision (cut) in the abdomen. Using the laparoscope, the doctor can look directly at the outside of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and nearby organs.
A female pelvic laparoscopy is often recommended when other diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound and X-ray, cannot confirm the cause of a condition. Your doctor might use laparoscopy to:

  • Find the cause of pain in the pelvic and abdominal regions
  • Examine a tissue mass
  • Confirm endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Look for blockage of the fallopian tubes or for other causes of infertility

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How is female pelvic laparoscopy performed?

The procedure is performed while you are lying down in a slightly tilted position, with your head lower than your feet. You will be given a general anesthetic to relax your muscles and prevent pain during surgery.

Next, a small incision is made near the navel. The laparoscope is inserted through this incision, and the abdomen is inflated to make the organs easier to view. The laparoscope might also be equipped with surgical devices for taking tissue samples or removing scar tissue.

A second incision might also be made at the pubic hairline. This incision provides an additional opening for instruments needed for completing minor surgical procedures.

After surgery, patients generally stay in a recovery room for about one hour. Patients are then taken to an outpatient surgery unit for continued observation.

You will be discharged after you receive instructions for your home recovery. In most cases, patients can leave the hospital about four hours after laparoscopy. Rarely a patient will need to stay overnight to aid recovery.

Patients are asked to return to their doctors for follow-up checkups within two to eight weeks. Please confirm your follow-up appointment before leaving the hospital.

You will be unable to drive for 24 hours after surgery. You must have someone pick you up and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.

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Are you sedated for laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is performed under general anaesthetic, so you'll be unconscious during the procedure and have no memory of it. You can often go home on the same day.

How long does a pelvic laparoscopy take?

When laparoscopy is used to diagnose a condition, the procedure usually takes 30-60 minutes. The average operating time for all cases was 76.9 min (range 10–400). In 38 cases (3.8%) the laparoscopic procedure was converted to laparotomy. The average operating time for treating ectopic pregnancy and tubal disease was approximately 60 min (range 13–240). Surgery for endometriosis and ovarian cysts averaged 72 min (range 10–240). Laparoscopic myomectomy and hysterectomy averaged 113 and 131 min respectively (range 25–400). Our results show that while the operating time for most operative laparoscopies is less than 75 min, the range of operating times is great. 

Preparing for laparoscopy

Please follow these guidelines before coming to the hospital for your laparoscopy:

  • DO NOT eat, drink (including water), or smoke after midnight prior to the day of surgery.
  • Wear low-heeled shoes the day of surgery. You might be drowsy from the anesthesia and unsteady on your feet.
  • Do not wear jewelry. (Wedding rings may be worn.)
  • Wear loose-fitting clothing. You will have some abdominal tenderness and cramping after surgery.
  • Remove nail polish prior to surgery.

Is female pelvic laparoscopy safe?

Yes. Laparoscopy is very safe. About three out of every 1,000 women who have laparoscopy have complications. Possible complications include injury to nearby organs, bleeding, or a problem related to the anesthesia. Discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

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After laparoscopy

  • Recovering at home
    • Don't drink alcohol or drive for at least 24 hours after surgery.
    • You can bathe anytime after surgery.
    • You may remove the bandage the morning after the surgery. Steri-strips, which resemble tape, can be removed 2 to 3 days after surgery.
    • Patients can return to work 3 days after surgery. (If you need a doctor's letter excusing you from work, please request one at your pre-operative appointment.)
    • Do not be concerned if your urine is green. A blue dye might have been used to check if your fallopian tubes are open.
  • Discomforts
    • Your abdomen might be swollen for several days after the surgery. You may take acetaminophen to relieve pain.
    • You might have a sore throat for a few days. Try using a throat lozenge.
    • You might have mild nausea. Try eating a light evening meal the day of surgery. Tea, soup, toast, gelatin, or crackers might help relieve nausea.
    • Gas in the abdomen might cause discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and chest for 24 to 72 hours after surgery. Try taking a warm shower, using a heating pad, or walking.
  • Vaginal bleeding and menstruation

Vaginal bleeding up to 1 month after surgery is normal. Many women do not have their next normal menstrual cycle for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. When your normal cycle returns, you might notice heavier bleeding and more discomfort than usual.

Wait 2 to 3 menstrual cycles before determining if laparoscopy has helped to relieve your condition.

  • Sexual activity

You can resume sexual activity 1 week after surgery. However, pregnancy can still occur during recovery. If you wish to prevent pregnancy, use a contraceptive.

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How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic surgery?

The time it takes to recover from laparoscopy is different for everybody. It depends on factors such as the reason the procedure was carried out (whether it was used to diagnose or treat a condition), your general health and if any complications develop.

If you've had laparoscopy to diagnose a condition, you'll probably be able to resume your normal activities within 5 days.

The recovery period after laparoscopy to treat a condition depends on the type of treatment. After minor surgery, such as appendix removal, you may be able to resume normal activities within 3 weeks. Following major surgery, such as removal of your ovaries or kidney because of cancer, the recovery time may be as long as 12 weeks.

Your surgical team can give you more information about when you'll be able to resume normal activities.

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10 common Questions about Female Pelvic Laparoscopy

1What are the side effects of laparoscopic surgery?
You should contact your doctor if any of the following symptoms develop after having a laparoscopy: persistent or worsening pain after a few days; new abdominal pain; nausea or vomiting; fever; fainting or feel light-headed; redness, swelling, discharge or bleeding at the wound site(s); or. difficulty urinating.
2How long after a laparoscopy can I drink alcohol?
Recovering at home. Don't drink alcohol or drive for at least 24 hours after surgery. You may remove the bandage the morning after the surgery. Steri-strips, which resemble tape, can be removed 2 to 3 days after surgery.
3How long does your stomach stay swollen after laparoscopic surgery?
After your surgery, it is normal to feel weak and tired for several days after you return home. Your belly may be swollen. If you had laparoscopic surgery, you may also have pain in your shoulder for about 24 hours. You may have gas or need to burp a lot at first, and a few people get diarrhea.
4How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic surgery?
When laparoscopy is used to diagnose a condition, the procedure usually takes 30-60 minutes. It will take longer if the surgeon is treating a condition, depending on the type of surgery being carried out.
5Can I die from a laparoscopy?
However, up to 15 per cent of bowel injuries might not be diagnosed at the time of laparoscopy. ... death; three to eight women in every 100 000 undergoing laparoscopy die as a result of complications (very rare).
6Is a laparoscopy a major surgery?
Laparoscopy, also known as diagnostic laparoscopy, is a surgical diagnostic procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen. It's a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions.
7What should I do after laparoscopy?
Be sure to keep your stitches covered for the first 48 hours after your surgery. You may shower after that. Gently pat the stitches dry with a soft towel, and cover them with a small adhesive bandage. If you have any type of discharge, redness, swelling, or tenderness around the stitches, call the GYN nurse.
8How should I sleep after laparoscopy?
Once at home, lie down and sleep as much as possible for the first 24 hours. Your abdominal muscles will be very tender the first few days. Hold a pillow against your stomach if you sneeze or cough to lessen the pain.
9How long after a laparoscopy can I go back to work?
Most women feel able to return to work one to three weeks after a laparoscopy. If you have had a diagnostic laparoscopy or a simple procedure such as a sterilisation, you can expect to feel able to go back to work within one week.
10How long does it take for an abdominal incision to heal?
Depending on your state of health, it can be shorter or longer. An average time length that a lot of people say with an abdominal incision is about one to two months or even just six weeks to where you really want to let it heal and you try not to put too much pressure on your abdomen during that time.

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