Pelvic laparoscopy

Alternative Names: Celioscopy; Band-aid surgery; Pelviscopy; Gynecologic laparoscopy; Exploratory laparoscopy - gynecologic

Pelvic laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that examines and treats pelvic organs through a small surgical viewing instrument (laparoscope) inserted into the abdomen at the navel.

Description of Procedure

While you are deep asleep and pain-free under general anesthesia, the doctor makes a half-inch surgical cut in the skin below the belly button. Carbon dioxide gas is pumped into the abdomen to help the doctor see the organs more easily.

The laparoscope, an instrument that looks like a small telescope with a light and a video camera, is inserted so the doctor can view the area.

Other instruments may be inserted through other small cuts in the lower abdomen. While watching a video monitor, the doctor is able to:

• Get tissue samples (biopsy)
• Look around and diagnose the cause of any symptoms
• Remove scar tissue or other abnormal tissue, such as from endometriosis
• Repair or remove part or all of the ovaries or tubes
• Repair or remove parts of the uterus
• Do other surgical procedures (such as appendectomy, removing lymph nodes)

After the laparoscopy, the carbon dioxide gas is released, and the surgeon closes the cuts with stitches.

The average time of surgery depends on the procedure performed.

Risks of Pelvic laparoscopy

General anesthesia poses the risk of reactions to medications, including breathing problems. Risks for any pelvic surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Blood clots in the leg or pelvic veins, which could travel to the lungs and, rarely, be fatal
• Breathing problems
• Damage to nearby organs and tissues
• Heart problems
• Infection

Pelvic laparoscopy	Endometriosis	Pelvic adhesions	Ovarian cyst
Pelvic laparoscopy - series

Review Date: 2/21/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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