What is laparoscopy?
The laparoscope sends images to a video screen, and small instruments are passed through one or more additional small incisions. Laparoscopy can be diagnostic, to find the cause of a problem, or operative, to treat it during the same surgery.
Why is it done?
- Finding the cause of pelvic pain or infertility
- Diagnosing and removing endometriosis
- Removing ovarian cysts or ovaries
- Removing fibroids or the uterus in selected cases
- Treating ectopic pregnancy
- Tubal sterilization
How is it performed?
Laparoscopy is done under general anesthesia. The abdomen is gently filled with carbon dioxide gas to give the surgeon room to see. Most procedures take between 30 minutes and a few hours, and most patients go home the same day.
What is recovery like?
Expect soreness at the incisions and sometimes shoulder pain from the gas for a day or two. Many women return to light activity within a few days to two weeks, depending on what was done.
What are the risks and when should I call?
Risks include bleeding, infection, blood clots, reactions to anesthesia and, rarely, injury to the bowel, bladder or blood vessels. Call the office for fever over 100.4°F, worsening abdominal pain, vomiting, redness or drainage at an incision, or trouble urinating.
Schedule a consultation in Fort Lauderdale
To make an appointment with Women’s Surgical Specialists, call (954) 771-8888, Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:30 pm. Our office is at 2800 East Commercial Blvd, Suite 101, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, and we accept Medicare and most major insurance plans.
This page is general information, not medical advice. For a medical emergency, call 911.