Reasons for Getting Laparoscopic Surgery

Gynecological laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to look inside your abdomen, in order to examine your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. It can be used as a diagnostic tool, to help find and confirm the origin of symptoms that you have been experiencing, or as part of the process to treat one of several different medical conditions.

 

In laparoscopic surgery, the laparoscope is inserted through a small incision. The laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a light and camera at the end. It can be inserted into the body at the appropriate location and will feedback a real-time image from the camera onto a screen in the operating theatre.

 

There are a variety of situations in which laparoscopic surgery is recommended. These include the following:

 

Endometriosis

This chronic condition occurs when the cells that line your womb are found in other parts of your body, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The symptoms of endometriosis can be debilitating and include severe pelvic pain, heavy periods, constipation and diarrhea, and fertility problems.

 

Treating an Ectopic Pregnancy

This type of pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg starts to develop outside of your womb, normally in one of the fallopian tubes. Unfortunately, if this happens it isn’t possible to save the pregnancy and the egg must be removed. If complications occur, it may also be necessary to remove the affected fallopian tube.

 

Removing an Ovarian Cyst

Cysts can form on the ovaries as a result of your natural menstrual cycle and occur when the follicles that usually release an egg fail to break open. This causes the follicle to continue growing into a cyst.

 

Removal of Scar Tissue

This refers to scar tissue that may have formed after an infection caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, or as a result of endometriosis.

 

Treating Fibroids

These are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They can cause symptoms such as heavy, painful periods, lower back and abdominal pain, a frequent need to urinate, and discomfort during intercourse. Treatment to remove fibroids is sometimes called a myomectomy.

 

Investigating Infertility

In some cases, women who are unable to conceive may be given a laparoscopy to try and discover why they are unable to fall pregnant.

 

Hysterectomy

In the past, a hysterectomy was an open procedure that came with significant risks and a long recovery. However, today a hysterectomy can be performed laparoscopically instead. This procedure is a form of sterilization since it involves the removal of the uterus. Many women choose to undergo a hysterectomy when they are finished having children, although it can also be recommended to treat various health problems, including ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancer.

 

Diagnosing or Treating Cancer

Cancer can affect any area of the body, including the female reproductive system. Laparoscopic surgery may be performed to check for the presence of cancer, to see whether cancer has spread, or to remove tumors and other cancerous cells. If your laparoscopic surgery is being used as a diagnostic tool, your surgeon may use your procedure to take a small sample of the affected tissue, which will then be used to determine if you have cancer.

 

Learn more about laparoscopic surgery & if it’s right for you, contact Partners In Obstetrics & Women’s Health in New Lenox, IL at (815) 240-0554.