Laparoscopy

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Laparoscopic surgery - series

Pelvic laparoscopy

After the examination, the laparoscope is removed, all openings are stitched closed, and bandages are applied. Depending on the operation performed, a tube may be left through one of the cuts to let fluids drain.

You cannot have any food or fluid for 8 hours before the test. You must sign a consent form.

With general anesthesia, you will feel no pain during the procedure. However, the stitched cuts may throb and be slightly painful afterward. Your doctor may give you a pain reliever.

With local anesthesia, you may feel a prick and a burning sensation when the anesthetic is given. Pain may occur at the operation site. Afterward, the stitched cuts may throb and be slightly painful. A pain reliever will be given by your doctor.

You may experience shoulder pain for a few days, because the gas can irritate the diaphragm, the large muscle at the top of the belly. Some of the nerves in the diaphragm also go to the shoulder.

Finally, you may experience an increased urge to urinate, because the gas can put pressure on the bladder.

You will not be able to drink liquids or eat solid foods until your doctor tells you it is safe to do so.

Laparoscopic operations are performed for the same reasons that open (laparotomy) procedures are performed.

Review Date: 08/11/2005
Reviewed By: Joseph P. Hart, M.D., Marco Polo Traveling Fellow c/o Department of Vascular Surgery, A. Z. St. Blasius Hospital (Belgium). Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.