Gynaec Treatment of Telescopes

Laparoscopy means to look inside the stomach with the help of a telescope. The telescope is passed, under general anaesthetic (when you are asleep), through your belly button. Initially the inside of the tummy is distended by introducing carbon dioxide gas to make the procedure safe. A telescope is then passed through the belly button which reveals all of the organs, namely the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes to ensure that no abnormalities are present.

Usual indications for laparoscopy are heavy periods, fibroids, suspected endometriosis, suspected pelvic inflammatory disease, undiagnosed pelvic pain and suspected ectopic pregnancy etc. One can also ensure if the tubes are patent while performing a laparoscopy by injecting some dye through the cervix. When the laparoscopy is performed to diagnose a Gynaecological condition it is called a diagnostic laparoscopy. One can also have a therapeutic laparoscopy which means treatment of the conditions like ovarian cyst, removal of ectopic pregnancy, treatment of endometriosis, separation of adhesions as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease.

At the end of the procedure the gas is taken out and absorbable sutures are inserted to appose the skin and the belly button. One can also have two other small holes on either side of the abdomen. These minor ports were to help the insertion of other instruments in order to perform the operation, also known as keyhole surgery. The procedure is usually carried out as a day case. However for operative laparoscopy one may be required to stay over night which will be at the discretion of your own doctor.