What is a diagnostic laparoscopy?

A diagnostic laparoscopy is a procedure in which the doctor uses a laparoscope (a thin tube with a light) to observe the organs and tissues inside your peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity is the space that contains most of your abdominal and pelvic organs.

When is it used?

This operation may be performed because you have chronic pain in the abdominal area. Chronic refers to pain that has lasted a long time.

Examples of alternatives are:

• trying other procedures, such as abdominal surgery

• having various x-rays

• choosing not to have the operation and not to have the information about your condition that laparoscopy might provide.

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 puts a laparoscope through the cut. The doctor may put other tools through small cuts elsewhere in the abdomen. The laparoscope is used to look at the abdominal organs and tissues and to guide the other tool. If the doctor finds a growth that should not be there, he or she may use the tool to take a sample of the growth or remove it. Then the doctor removes the laparoscope and the tool and sews up the openings in the abdominal wall and belly button area. The sample of tissue is sent to the laboratory for analysis.

What happens after the procedure?

You may stay in the hospital several hours or overnight to recover. The anesthetic may cause sleepiness or grogginess for a while. You may have some shoulder pain, feel bloated, or notice a change in bowel habits for a few days. You may not be able to urinate right away and may have a catheter (a small tube) placed into your bladder through the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside) 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 surgical procedure may help the doctor make a more accurate diagnosis.

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, glands, intestines, or blood vessels may be damaged. The doctor may perform abdominal surgery to repair them at the time of the laparoscopy.

• The lining of the abdominal wall may become inflamed.

• A blood clot may break off, enter the bloodstream, and clog an artery in the lung, pelvis, or legs. Rarely, a blood clot may clog an artery in the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke.

• You may develop an infection or bleeding.

• There may be 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 develop chest pain.

• You experience nausea and vomiting.

• You become short of breath.

• You develop severe abdominal pain or swelling.

Call the doctor during office hours if:

• You have questions about the procedure or its result.

• You want to make another appointment.