Diagnostic Laparoscopy

Diagnostic laparoscopy is a procedure that allows a health care provider to look directly at the contents of a patient's abdomen or pelvis, including the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, small bowel, large bowel, appendix, liver, and gallbladder. The laparoscope is put into the abdominal cavity through a hollow tube and the image of the inside of your abdomen is seen on the television screen. In most cases, this procedure (operation) will be able to diagnose or help discover what the abdominal problem is.

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Reasons for Diagnostic Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy has a role in the diagnosis of both acute and chronic abdominal pain. Some of the causes of abdominal pain include appendicitis, adhesions or intra-abdominal scar tissue, pelvic infections, endometriosis, abdominal bleeding and, less frequently, cancer. Surgeons often diagnose the cause of the abdominal pain and, during the same procedure, correct the problem.

Abdominal masses require a definitive diagnosis before appropriate therapy or treatment can be recommended. Laparoscopy is one of the techniques to look directly at the mass and obtain tissue to discover the diagnosis.

The presence of fluid in the abdominal cavity is called ascites. Sometimes the cause of this fluid accumulation is difficult to detect. However, looking into the abdominal cavity, using laparoscopy helps the physician to find out the cause and treat the patient appropriately.

If a X-ray cannot give your physician enough information, a liver biopsy may be needed to establish the diagnosis. Diagnostic laparoscopy is one of the safest and most accurate ways to obtain tissue for diagnosis

Procedure

A surgeon makes a small cut below the belly button (navel) and inserts a needle into the area. Carbon dioxide gas is passed into the area to help move the abdominal wall and any organs out of the way, creating a larger space to work in. This helps the surgeon see the area better. A tube is placed through the cut in your abdominal area. A tiny video camera (laparoscope) goes through this tube and is used to see the inside of your pelvis and abdomen. Additional small cuts may be made if other instruments are needed to get a better view of certain organs. In the case of gynecologic laparoscopy, dye may be injected into your cervix area so the surgeon can better see your fallopian tubes.

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Diagnostic laparoscopy at Nova Specialty Surgery

Diagnostic laparoscopy is performed by expert surgeons at the following Nova Specialty Surgery Centers. Click on the location to make an appointment.

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