ENDOMETRIOSIS: MORE ABOUT LAPAROSCOPY
What is a laparoscopy?
A laparoscopy is a relatively safe and simple minor operation, performed under a general anaesthetic, in which a telescope-like instrument known as a laparoscope is inserted into a small cut near the navel.
Nowadays, laparoscopy is a fairly common operation which is used to diagnose a range of gynecological conditions, including endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease. It is also used to treat a variety of gynecological conditions, including drainage of simple ovarian cysts, and to perform sterilization operations.
A laparoscope is a long thin telescope-like instrument approximately 30 centimeters long. It has a lens at the end which magnifies and lights up the pelvic organs and allows a gynecologist to look for the presence of endometrial implants and cysts in the pelvic cavity. It can also be used to remove samples of tissues for testing, to perform minor surgery, to perform laser surgery and to take photographs.
What do I need to discuss before I have my laparoscopy?
Some gynecologists believe that a diagnostic laparoscopy for endometriosis is best done just before or during a period when the disease is most active and easier to see. It may be worthwhile discussing this aspect of the timing of your laparoscopy with your gynecologist.
It is also extremely important that you discuss with your gynecologist before the operation precisely what she or he intends to do during your laparoscopy if endometriosis is found.
In particular, if endometriosis is found, you need to discuss whether your gynecologist intends only to diagnose the condition at the time and defer any further surgery until you have considered all the available options or whether it is intended to proceed immediately onto laparoscopic surgery. You should indicate clearly which of the alternatives you want.
Even more importantly, you should discuss what you want your gynecologist to do if extensive surgery is needed. For example, if organs or large cysts need to be removed do you want a laparotomy performed immediately or do you want it delayed so that you can discuss the operation and consider all your options?
If surgery is performed at the time of your diagnostic laparoscopy it avoids having to undergo the inconvenience and costs of a second period of hospitalization, a second general anaesthetic and a second recuperation period. But it also means that you will not be able to participate in making any of the decisions regarding your surgery nor will you have the time to make the emotional and psychological adjustments associated with being diagnosed as having a chronic condition such as endometriosis.
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