Laparoscopy: Laparoscopic surgery is a specialized technique for performing surgery. It can be categorized as a keyhole surgery and it may be performed to examine the condition of your uterus and ovaries and to check your tubes are open (tubal patency). It can be used to treat the conditions such as tubal microsurgery, removal of fibroids, endometriosis or correction of uterine abnormalities. During the surgery, a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery involves several 0.5-1cm incisions. Each incision is known as a “port". At each port a tubular instrument known as a trochar is inserted. Specialized instruments and a special camera known as a laparoscope is equipped to a thin telescopic instrument (endoscope) which enable the specialist to view the clear images on a video monitor. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to provide a viewing space and working for the surgeon. The special camera transmits clear images from the abdominal cavity to high-resolution video monitors in the operating room. During the operation in the operating room surgeon analyses and watches detailed images of the abdomen on the monitor. This special system enables the surgeon to perform the same operations with traditional surgery techniques but with smaller incisions.
In certain conditions a surgeon may decide to use a special type of port that is large enough to insert with hand. The surgical technique is called “hand assisted” laparoscopy when a hand port is involved in the surgery. The incision required for the hand port during the surgery is larger than the other type of laparoscopic incisions but is normally smaller than the incision required for traditional surgery.
After a laparoscope surgery, the patient may experience some symptoms that may last for several days, including mild nausea, muscle pain, pain or discomfort at the site of the incisions, tiredness and a small amount of vaginal discharge or bleeding or a sensation of swelling in the lower part of abdomen. Laparoscopy involves about one to two hours is performed under general anaesthetic. The recovery of the patient will depend on the amount of surgery required. The doctor generally recommend take one or two days rest from work following the procedure.
Surgery for Endometriosis: If your doctor suspects you to have endometriosis, they may be able move out the endometriosis and also the associated scar tissue at the time of the diagnostic laparoscopy. The doctor may alternatively apply hormone treatment to suppress the natural menstrual cycle and conquer the growth of endometriosis.
In some cases, this treatment for endometriosis may result in a successful pregnancy else IVF may be a good treatment option available.
Surgery for Fallopian Tubes: Your doctor can diagnose during a laparoscopy that you have any damage to your tubes. If the doctor finds it as challenges to the success of your IVF, they may immediately recommend for performing a tubal surgery to correct tubal damage or remove scar tissue before starting of IVF treatment.
In some cases, the tubal surgery may be accomplished through the laparoscope, while other surgery may require microsurgery. If tubal surgery does not enable you for successful pregnancy, IVF may provide you the best chance of success.
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SCI Healthcare, Founder & Director Dr Shivani Sachdev Gour has experienced more than 10years in fertility services. Dr. Shivani Gour completed her graduation and speciality training in Gynaecology and Obstetrics from Mumbai.