Diagnostic Laparoscopy

Indication

   Chronic pelvic pain, the procedure helps identify pelvic diseases such as endometriosis

   Pelvic inflammatory disease, adhesions, ovarian cysts

   Suspected ectopic pregnancy

   Infertility

The Procedure

   General anaesthesia

   Pneumoperitoneum created by insufflation of carbon dioxide

   Incisions made

   Telescope and instruments passed into abdomen

   Pelvic organs inspected

   Incisions closed

   Tissues removed will be sent for pathological examination or disposed of as appropriate unless otherwise specified

   Other associated procedures which may be necessary, such as :

   Pelvic adhesions or endometriosis can be treated at the time of surgery with electrocautery or scissors

   Cyst or mass identified in the ovary or the fallopian tube, can be removed at the time of surgery

   Patency of the fallopian tubes can be checked by injecting a blue dye through the cervix into the uterus to see if the dye enters the tubes and spills out of them

   Blocked Fallopian tubes can be opened (salpingostomy) at the time of surgery.

   Diagnosis hysteroscopy

Photographic and / or video images may be recorded during the operation for education / research / documentation purpose. Please inform the staff if you have any objection.

Risk and Complication

   Anaesthetic complications

   Bleeding, may need blood transfusion

   Pelvic infection

   Wound complications including infection and hernia

   Trauma to adjacent organs like bladder, bowels requiring repair

   Perforation of uterus

   Risk of laparotomy

   3-8 women in every 100 000 undergoing laparoscopy die as a result of complications

After the Procedure

   This is a only diagnostic procedure and has no therapeutic value

   Symptoms experienced before the surgery may persist after the operation

   The cause of pain / symptom(s) sometimes may not be found

Risk of Not Having the Procedure

   Pathology in the pelvic cavity being missed or not identified and appropriate treatment cannot be given

Alternative Treatment

   Pelvic ultrasonogram

   Hysterosalpingogram

Follow Up

   No special follow up

Remarks

The information contained is very general. The list of complications is not exhaustive and other unforeseen complications may occasionally occur. In special patient groups, the actual risk may be different. For further information, please contact your doctor.