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?

Your peritoneal cavity may have too much fluid.

Your doctor will perform this procedure to better understand your abdominal problems.

Examples of alternatives to this procedure include:

• trying other procedures, such as abdominal surgery

• having an ultrasound, a scan with high-frequency sound waves that shows a picture of the inside of your abdomen on a screen

• having a CT scan of the abdomen, an x-ray scan of your abdomen

• choosing not to have the procedure, recognizing the risks of not having the information it 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 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. The doctor uses the scope to guide the other tool and look at certain organs. Abdominal fluids may be sent to the laboratory for analysis. 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 for laboratory tests. Finally, the doctor removes the scope and the instrument 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 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 need to 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. Ask your doctor how much you should lift, what 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?

The following complications of this procedure are rare:

• 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.

• Fluid may continue to leak from the small cuts in your abdomen.

• 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 around the small incisions.

• You become dizzy and faint.

• You experience nausea and vomiting.

• You become short of breath.

• You have 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.