What are the Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
Diagnostic laparoscopic gynecologic procedures are those in which a thin tube with a light and camera on one end, known as a laparoscope, is inserted into the lower abdomen (belly) or pelvis (area below the abdomen) to diagnose any disorders in the female reproductive organs.
This procedure requires less recovery time and causes minimal scarring. On diagnosing a problem during diagnostic laparoscopy, the doctor can then do the necessary treatment for the diagnosed gynecologic condition. Laparoscopy can be used for the diagnosis, as well as treatment of gynecological disorders
In this article, we will be discussing in detail the various diagnostic laparoscopic gynecologic procedures.
- What is the purpose of Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
- What are the advantages of Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
- What is the diagnostic procedure before a Gynecologic Laparoscopy?
- How to prepare for a Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedure?
- How are the Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures performed?
- How to care after Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
- What are the risks of Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
- What is the cost of Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures in India?
What is the purpose of Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
Diagnostic laparoscopy can be performed for the following reasons:
- History of pelvic infection
- Infertility with no known cause
- Unexplained pelvic pain
- After an injury to check if there is any damage to the internal organs
The various gynecologic conditions that can be diagnosed using laparoscopy include:
- Endometriosis: It is a disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that forms the uterine lining grows outside the uterus (womb).
- Ovarian cysts or tumors: Ovaries are female reproductive organs that produce female eggs and hormones. A fluid-filled sac that develops in either of the ovaries is known as an ovarian cyst. When abnormal cells in the ovary grow and multiply out of control, it leads to the formation of an ovarian tumor. ( Know more about- What is Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery? )
- Uterine fibroids: Abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s womb or uterus are known as uterine fibroids.
- Ectopic pregnancy: When a fertilized egg attaches itself outside the uterus (womb) instead of inside, the condition is known as an ectopic pregnancy.
- Infertility: Inability to get pregnant even after a year of trying is known as infertility in women. ( Know more about- What is Pregnancy Care? )
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: The infection of the female reproductive organs is known as a pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Pelvic abscess: A life-threatening condition in which there is a collection of infected fluid or pus in the female reproductive organs.
- Pelvic adhesions: These are bands of scar tissue that cause the internal organs to stick to each other.
- Reproductive cancers: Cancers of the ovaries, uterus, and cervix (the lower end of the uterus which is present on top of the vagina) can be diagnosed using a laparoscopy.
What are the advantages of Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
The advantages of diagnostic laparoscopic gynecologic procedures include:
- Quick recovery
- Smaller incisions (cuts)
- Lesser chances of infection
- Less painful than other open procedures ( Know more about- What are Female Genital Procedures? )
What is the diagnostic procedure before a Gynecologic Laparoscopy?
- Physical examination: The patient is examined by the doctor physically. The various symptoms of the condition are noted. The patient is also asked about her past medical history.
- Pelvic exam: The doctor will insert one or two of his/her gloved and lubricated fingers into the patient’s vagina to check the internal female reproductive organs.
- Blood tests: These tests help in checking any underlying medical conditions that may be present.
- Urinalysis: Urine tests may be recommended to check for any urinary infections that may be present.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): This is a simple test done to check if the heart is in a good condition.
- Chest x-ray: It helps in checking the condition of the lungs.
- Imaging tests: Imaging tests like CT scans, MRI scans, and pelvic ultrasounds may be performed to obtain clear images of the internal female reproductive organs.( Know more about- What is Labiaplasty? )
How to prepare for a Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedure?
- The doctor should know about any medications, supplements, or herbs that you may be taking.
- The doctor should be told about any pre-existing medical conditions that may be present.
- You may be advised to stop taking blood-thinners like warfarin and aspirin a few days before the surgery, as these drugs may increase the likelihood of bleeding during and after the procedure.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or you think that you could be pregnant.
- Avoid drinking or eating anything eight hours before the procedure.
- Quit smoking at least two weeks before the procedure.
- Arrange for a family member or a friend to take you home after the procedure.
How are the Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures performed?
Diagnostic laparoscopy is generally performed under general anesthesia (the patient is put to sleep during the procedure). The patient can still go home on the same day of the surgery.
- The surgeon makes a small incision (cut) below the belly button.
- A hollow tube or needle known as a trocar is inserted into the incision.
- Carbon dioxide gas is passed into the abdomen through this tube or needle.
- The laparoscope is inserted through this incision. The gas helps in the expansion of the area, allowing the surgeon more room to work, and helps the surgeon to get a clearer view of the internal organs.
- Three other small incisions are made in the lower abdomen.
- The additional incisions are made for allowing the entry of certain medical instruments required for diagnostic exploration.
- A dye may be injected into the cervix that allows the doctor to view the fallopian tubes (a pair of tubes along which the eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus). ( Know more about- What is Cervical Cancer Treatment? )
- After the examination, the gas, laparoscope, and other medical instruments are removed.
- The incisions are closed using stitches or sutures, and bandages are placed.
Diagnostic laparoscopy can be done using the following advanced methods:
- Robotic surgery: The procedure of laparoscopy is performed by robotic arms that are controlled by the surgeon. This helps in better precision and fine manipulations.
- Microlaparoscopy: This procedure makes use of tiny scopes to perform the procedure. This procedure can be done using local anesthesia (the area of the procedure is numbed).
How to care after Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
- You will most likely go home a couple of hours after the procedure.
- It is normal to have some tenderness and bruising in the incision areas after the procedure.
- It is normal to have vaginal bleeding for up to one month after a laparoscopy.
- The gas inserted during the procedure may cause mild pain in your neck, chest, and shoulder area.
- It is normal to have some nausea after the procedure.
- Your urine may appear green due to the dye injected during the procedure.
- The doctor may prescribe some pain medications and antibiotics to relieve pain and prevent infection after the procedure.
- You can return to work three days after the procedure.
- Avoid any sexual activity for one week after the procedure.
- It normally takes one to three weeks for the incisions to heal completely.
What are the risks of Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures?
The following complications can occur after a diagnostic laparoscopic gynecologic procedure:
- Bleeding ( Know more about- What is Blood in Stool? )
- Infection
- Injury to the nearby blood vessels and organs
- Swelling, soreness, redness, bleeding, or drainage around the wound
- Problems associated with the anesthesia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Extremely heavy menstrual flow
- Inflammation of the wall of the abdomen
- Abdominal pain
- Pain during bowel movements or urination
- Blood clot (a mass or clump of blood) formation, that can enter the bloodstream and lead to clotting in the lungs, pelvis, or legs
- Blood clot that could travel to the brain or heart causing a stroke (a condition caused due to the interrupted blood supply to the brain) or heart attack (very rare)
What is the cost of Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures in India?
The total cost of diagnostic laparoscopic gynecologic procedures in India can range from around INR 35,000 to INR 80,000. However, many prominent hospital doctors in India specialize in diagnostic laparoscopic gynecologic procedures. But the cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, apart from the cost of diagnostic laparoscopic gynecologic procedures, there will be an additional cost of living in a hotel and the cost of local travel. After surgery, the patient is kept for one day in the hospital and seven days in the hotel for recovery. So, total cost of diagnostic laparoscopic gynecologic procedures in India comes to a total of INR 46,000 to INR 1,00,000.
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding Diagnostic Laparoscopic Gynecologic Procedures through this article.
If you need more information related to diagnostic laparoscopic gynecologic procedures, then you can contact a Gynecologist.
We only aim to provide you with information through this article. We do not recommend any medicine or treatment. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
