Diagnostic Laparoscopy

Diagnostic laparoscopy is a procedure that allows your surgeon to look inside the organs in your abdomen (stomach, liver, gallbladder, small and large bowel and appendix) or pelvis (fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus).

Laparoscopy surgery uses small cuts to see the inner parts of your abdomen and pelvis rather than larger cuts that are used in open surgery.

Diagnostic laparoscopy is used to diagnose:

• endometriosis – where small pieces of your womb lining are found outside your womb
• fibroids – non-cancerous tumours that grow in or around your womb
• ovarian cyst – fluid-filled sac in your ovary
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – a bacterial infection of your upper genital tract (womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries)
• ectopic pregnancy – your pregnancy develops outside your womb
• pelvic floor disorders – include urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
• female infertility
• undescended testicles – common for boys to be born without one or both testicles in their scrotum
• appendicitis – painful swelling of your appendix
• unexplained pelvic or abdominal pain
• cancers – biopsy sample of suspected cancerous tissue is collected and sent for laboratory analysis. Detects ovarian, pancreatic, liver, bile duct and gall bladder cancers.

Diagnostic laparoscopy is typically performed under general anaesthetic and takes 30 to 60 minutes. It involves making a small cut near your belly button and inserting a thin tube containing a light and camera, known as a laparoscope, to look inside your abdomen and pelvis.

Carbon dioxide gas is used to inflate your stomach and allows your surgeon to see your organs properly. Your surgeon has a clear view of the whole area on a TV monitor in the operating theatre.

You will be asked not to eat or drink anything for six to 12 hours before your diagnostic laparoscopy but you can continue to drink water until you come in for your procedure. Before your diagnostic laparoscopy you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home because you must not drive for at least 24 hours afterwards.

If you take blood-thinning medication, such as aspirin or warfarin, you may be asked to stop taking it a few days beforehand to prevent excessive bleeding during the procedure.

If you smoke, you may be advised to stop in the lead-up to your operation as it can delay healing and increase your risk of complications such as infection.

Diagnostic laparoscopy is a day case procedure so you should be able to go home on the same day.

You may feel a bit groggy and disorientated due to the anaesthetic. This will wear off.

You can expect some pain and discomfort in your lower stomach area for a day or two after your diagnostic laparoscopy. Some of the gas used to inflate your abdomen may be left inside your abdomen and can cause bloating, cramping and shoulder pain. We will provide you with painkillers as required.

Tiredness is common after a laparoscopy as your body uses energy to heal itself.

You can expect to be able to resume your normal activities within five days.