Is diagnostic laparoscopy common these days?

thehegdes

Hi All,

I was wondering if diagnostic laparoscopy is a common procedure these days. My gynec has recommended this for me as I sometimes have intra-menstrual bleeding. Some of the previous tests done like pelvic ultrasound, smear test, vaginal swab are all negative.

Has anybody else gone through this or knows somebody who had this procedure? I'm a little paranoid as it involves general anesthesia. Also, I would like to know about the risks involved in this procedure.

It will be helpful if you can share your experiences.

Thanks,
TheHegdes

d-redser

Hi,

I am just wondering how it went for you?

I might have to get it done soon so I was wondering if you received any info on it??

the-furbo

I think its becoming increasingly more common as doctors are now waking up to conditions such as endometriosis, with a condition lke that it is common for women to have more than one, it is ncomfortable after but pain killers usually help ok and you pain should last no longer than a week.

tbh

moved to bio/med where you might find more help. Mods feel free to bounce back if you'd like, OP, just moving this to expose it to a more knowledgeable audience, you're welcome back in LTI whenever you like.

Madame Razz

Ya, its common, its done very regularly. Probably the most conclusive test you can get done, ie they can actually see what if anything is wrong/irregular. Expect soreness afterwards and you will have some small scars, more or less depending on what exactly is amiss. But it is worthwhile And I would not be concerned about having it done, its a pretty routine procedure that they are very adepth at!!

teamsamson

thehegdes wrote: »

Hi All,

I was wondering if diagnostic laparoscopy is a common procedure these days. My gynec has recommended this for me as I sometimes have intra-menstrual bleeding. Some of the previous tests done like pelvic ultrasound, smear test, vaginal swab are all negative.

Has anybody else gone through this or knows somebody who had this procedure? I'm a little paranoid as it involves general anesthesia. Also, I would like to know about the risks involved in this procedure.

It will be helpful if you can share your experiences.

Thanks,
TheHegdes

Hey! Diagnostic Laparoscopy has increased in the last few years. it is the best tool for diagnosing but there are complications, such as scarring, bleeding, perforation of internal organs (very small risk). after the procedure you will be sore, but should receive adequate pain relief. if you are worried about goin for the procedure, you could ask for MRI/CT Scan, but if you are bleeding goin for a laparoscopy will determine where the bleedin is comin from, and they could fix it there and then.
Best of luck!

DrIndy

In a nutshell - external exams are very good for certain things and can be very helpful in diagnosis - but they all have error rates and circumstances when they are not helpful in giving a clear cut diagnosis.

In those circumstances, surgeons opt for what is sometimes much better and to have a direct look in through laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy may be increasing over the last few years - but laparotomies are decreasing. Before the advent of keyhole surgery, surgeons had to literally open someone up to look in and see and this meant a week or even much more recovery just to see what was going on.

Appendicitis in women is the classical conundrum where pelvic ultrasound is not clear cut and you need to to a laparoscopy. The same pain can be caused by ovarian cysts or torsion. Many women have ovarian cysts that have not ruptured normally - but who is to know if this is the culprit? Doing a laparoscopy will tell you definitely.

aoibhebree

Hi ...

I am in so much PAIN right now ... :mad::mad::mad: But I am going for a laparoscopy tomorrow, which will hopefully determine the source of this pain (been going on for a few years, but has gotten extra-bad over the past two weeks.) I'm more worried about the procedure itself than getting the results - probable endometriosis.

Any advice/reassurance from anyone who's gotten one of these? And how much scarring can I expect? Thanks!

Svalbard

Laparoscopic procedures generally involve one incision in the navel (belly-button) and one or two other rather small incisions in the abdomen. Best to ask your gynae where these will be located. Generally they are v. small and heal well with minimal scarring.
Post op expect some discomfort and abdominal bloating (they pump CO2 into your abdomen to see the organs better).

tallaght01

the-furbo wrote: »

I think its becoming increasingly more common as doctors are now waking up to conditions such as endometriosis, with a condition lke that it is common for women to have more than one, it is ncomfortable after but pain killers usually help ok and you pain should last no longer than a week.

only recently "waking up" to endometriosis?

Svalbard

tallaght01 wrote: »

only recently "waking up" to endometriosis?

Yeah. When I read the OPs first post I immediately thought endometriosis. Granted I did assume she was a young woman.