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 look into the 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 if you have:

• pain in your abdomen

• trouble getting pregnant

• abnormal fluid in your peritoneal cavity

• an unexplained defect on a liver scan

• a possible tubal pregnancy or undiagnosed pelvic mass.

Depending on your problem, examples of alternatives may include:

• trying other procedures, such as abdominal surgery

• having a liver biopsy

• having x-rays and/or sonograms taken

• choosing not to have treatment.

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 then puts the laparoscope through the cut. The doctor may put other tools through small cuts elsewhere in the abdomen. To look at the pelvis, for example, the surgeon puts a tool through a small cut in the lower abdomen. The doctor guides the laparoscope to explore the area and look at certain organs. If the doctor finds a growth that should not be there, he or she may use the other tool to take a sample of the growth to send to the lab for analysis. The doctor may remove the growth altogether. When finished, the doctor removes the laparoscope and the second tool and sews up the cuts.

What happens after the procedure?

You may stay in the hospital several hours or overnight to recover from the anesthetic and be observed for problems after the laparoscopic surgery. The anesthetic may cause sleepiness or grogginess for a while. You may have some shoulder pain and feel bloated. You may notice a change in bowel habits 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 minor surgical procedure may help the doctor make a more accurate diagnosis without extensive surgery. Then the doctor can suggest further treatment, such as medication or surgery.

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

• The peritoneal cavity may become inflamed.

• A blood clot may break off, enter the bloodstream, and clog an artery in the lung, pelvis, or legs. Rarely, a clot may break off and 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 become dizzy and faint.

• You develop chest pain.

• You experience nausea and vomiting.

• You become short of breath.

• You have abdominal pain or swelling that gets worse.

Call the doctor during office hours if:

• You have questions about the procedure or its result.

• You want to make another appointment.