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?

The doctor may suspect that something is wrong and may want to look more closely at your organs and tissues in the abdomen or pelvis. For example, if you have pelvic disease or endometriosis, your doctor may want to take a closer look at the organs in your pelvis.

Examples of procedures that may be tried before a laparoscopy is performed include:

• an ultrasound scan, a scan with high-frequency sound waves

• a CT scan of the abdomen

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

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 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 will be 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 the belly button, puts in the gas, puts a laparoscope through this cut, and puts another tool through a second small cut in the abdomen. Your doctor uses the laparoscope to look at the organs and tissues in your abdomen and pelvis. If the doctor finds a growth that should not be there, the other tool may be used to take a sample of the growth for laboratory tests. Then the doctor removes the scope and the tool and sews up the openings in the abdominal wall and belly button area.

What happens after the procedure?

You may stay in the hospital several hours or overnight to recover. The anesthetic may cause a little sleepiness or nausea for a while. You may feel bloated or notice a change in bowel habits for a few days. You may have some shoulder pain from the carbon dioxide gas used to inflate your peritoneal cavity.

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 of your problem.

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 perform abdominal surgery to repair them at the time of the laparoscopy.

• The lining of the abdominal wall may become inflamed.

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

• You become dizzy and faint.

• 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.