Gynecologic laparoscopy is a major surgical tool used to treat many gynecologic conditions. Laparoscopy is a common surgical procedure performed by gynecologists today.
Gynecologic laparoscopy is an alternative to open surgery. It uses a laparoscope, a slender, lighted telescope, to look inside your pelvic area. Open surgery often requires a large incision, at laparoscopy the scars are less than an inch long. Diagnostic laparoscopy can determine whether you have conditions such as endometriosis or scars in the pelvis. It can also be a form of treatment. With miniaturized instruments, your doctor can perform a variety of surgeries. These include:
- Removal of ovarian cysts
- Removal of pelvic scars
- Surgery on the tubes
- Removal of small fibroids
- hysterectomy
Laparoscopy generally has a shorter healing time than open pelvic surgery.
Diagnostic laparoscopy is indicated in the following conditions:
- Unexplained pelvic pain
- Unexplained infertility
- A history of pelvic infection
Conditions that might be treated using laparoscopy include:
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Ovarian cystsor tumors
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Pelvic abscess, or pus
- Pelvic adhesions, or painful scar tissue
- Infertility
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Some pelvic cancers
