Treatments / Laparoscopy

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Laparoscopy

A 'diagnostic' laparoscopy (Lapar = abdomen, oscopy = to look into) is used to examine the abdomen to investigate pelvic pain, pain and bleeding, subfertility, and to diagnose a suspected ectopic pregnancy.

An 'operative' laparoscopy, is used to remove the ovary or ovarian cysts, endometriosis, infection, treat subfertility, fibroids, to assist with a hysterectomy and to perform a sterilisation.

The operation

In this procedure, a small, fibre-optic 'telescope' is used to see the internal organs. After filling the abdomen with gas (carbon dioxide), a telescope is passed through the belly button (umbilicus), so the contents of the pelvis can be visualised. Other small (5mm or 10mm diameter) holes may be placed in the abdomen, especially where an operation will be carried out (keyhole surgery). A laparoscopy is usually performed under general anaesthetic as a day-case procedure and takes 15-20 minutes. Very rarely it can be performed under local anaesthetic. Following laparoscopy, patients may experience a pain similar to a period pain or 'wind' for up to 1 week.

Laparoscopy diagram

Operative Laparoscopy 

Minimally invasive or 'key-hole' surgery can be performed using laparoscopy. This has the advantages of reduced postoperative pain, a shorter stay in hospital, a smaller incision and therefore a better cosmetic result than conventional surgery.

Complications

Complications include pain for a few days after the operation. Occasionally there may be infection in the wounds. The risk of serious complications, e.g. perforation of the bowel or excessive bleeding is about 1,000:1, but is higher if the laparoscopy is operative.

Getting help

If you wish to make an appointment to seek further advice and or treatment, please contact Dr Harrington's secretary.

it treats...

  • Adenomyosis

    Adenomyosis is where the endometrial cells grow in the muscle of the womb.

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  • Endometriosis

    A condition where, for reasons that we do not know, the endometrial cells start growing outside the womb, typically in the pelvis. When they bleed internally they can lead to a lot of pain, especially during sex and around the time of the period.

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  • Fibroids

    Fibroids are very common benign, non-cancerous growths (tumour) of the muscle and fibre of the womb (uterus).

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  • Ovarian cysts

    The ovary produces an egg by producing a small cyst (often called a follicle). When the cyst bursts the egg pops out. Sometimes the cyst does not burst and goes on to get bigger and bigger, causing problems with pain and bleeding.

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  • Pelvic infection

    A condition where infection has passed from the vagina, through neck of the womb and up to the fallopian tubes.

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