Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used for diagnosis and treatment
Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns may perform a laparoscopy to diagnose or treat patients who have not responded to more-conservative treatment options. As a minimally invasive surgery, a laparoscopy involves making a few small incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon then inserts a thin, lighted laparoscope and other medical instruments to fully visualize the pelvic cavity and perform the procedure.
The risks and benefits of laparoscopy
A laparoscopy offers several benefits over traditional, open surgery. This technique is effective and gives patients a faster recovery with fewer complications. Like any surgery, there are risks, including bleeding, developing a hernia at the incision site, infection and damage to organs in rare cases.
Laparoscopy is suitable for women with endometriosis, fibroids and other conditions
Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns may perform a laparoscopy to diagnose endometriosis, tumors, causes of pelvic pain and other conditions. Our surgeons also utilize laparoscopy to perform tubal sterilization and treat several problems.
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian cysts prior to surgery
- Uterine fibroids
- Abnormal bleeding
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic floor disorders
What to expect before, during and after the procedure
- Before a patient has a laparoscopy, she will need to stop eating and drinking eight to 12 hours before surgery. At the hospital or surgery center, the patient will receive a sedative and local or general anesthesia.
- During the procedure, the surgeon will make a few small incisions in the patient’s abdomen and fill the abdominal cavity with gas to get a better view of the pelvic organs. The surgeon will place a camera on the laparoscope to help her see inside the cavity. She can also place surgical instruments on a laparoscope to perform surgery.
- When the laparoscopy is complete, the patient will go to recovery and staff will monitor her vital signs. Our Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns will send patients home with instructions on how to care for the incisions and what to look for after surgery. For example, it is normal for patients to experience belly and shoulder pain for a few days after a laparoscopy due to the carbon dioxide gas that is used to fill the abdomen.
- If a patient experiences bleeding or drainage from the incision, redness, swelling, fever, chills, vomiting or trouble urinating, she should contact our physicians immediately.
- Patients should be able to resume many daily activities in a few days if the procedure is minor or a couple of weeks with a hysterectomy.
Our team of all-female surgeons is highly trained and experienced
Our experienced Grapevine and Fort Worth obgyns understand the conditions that require gynecological surgery. If a patient needs a laparoscopy, she can rely on our surgeon’s skills and knowledge. Contact us.