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Laparoscopy, also known as diagnostic laparoscopy, is a surgical diagnostic procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen. It’s a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions.

Laparoscopy uses an instrument called a laparoscope to look at the abdominal organs. A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front. The instrument is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall. As it moves along, the camera sends images to a video monitor.

Laparoscopy allows your doctor to see inside your body in real time, without open surgery. Your doctor also can obtain biopsy samples during this procedure.

Why is laparoscopy performed?

Laparoscopy is often used to identify and diagnose the source of pelvic or abdominal pain. It’s usually performed when noninvasive methods are unable to help with diagnosis.

In many cases, abdominal problems can also be diagnosed with imaging techniques such as:

• ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the body
• CT scan, which is a series of special X-rays that take cross-sectional images of the body
• MRI scan, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce images of the body

Laparoscopy is performed when these tests don’t provide enough information or insight for a diagnosis. The procedure may also be used to take a biopsy, or sample of tissue, from a particular organ in the abdomen.
Your doctor may recommend laparoscopy to examine the following organs:

• appendix
• gallbladder
• liver
• pancreas
• small intestine and large intestine (colon)
• spleen
• stomach

By observing these areas with a laparoscope, your doctor can detect:

• an abdominal mass or tumor
• fluid in the abdominal cavity
• liver disease
• the effectiveness of certain treatments
• the degree to which a particular cancer has progressed

As well, your doctor may be able to perform an intervention to treat your condition immediately after diagnosis.

A hysteroscopy is a procedure in which your doctor inserts a small-diameter device into your uterus. This device has a light and a small camera on the end to allow the doctor to see inside your uterus.

There are a number of situations in which your doctor may recommend this procedure.

It can be used for either surgical or diagnostic purposes.
It may be used for visual confirmation of another test result to aid in the removal of fibroids and polyps in conjunction with a laparoscopic procedure prior to a dilation and curettage procedure to discover any malformation of the uterus

Procedure
Your primary doctor may refer you to a specialist for this procedure. The procedure will take place with you in the same position as you’re normally in for a gynecological exam, with your feet in the stirrups at the end of the exam table.

Gynecologic laparoscopy is an alternative to open surgery. It uses a laparoscope to look inside your pelvic area. Open surgery often requires a large incision.

A laparoscope is a slender, lighted telescope. It allows your doctor to see inside your body. Diagnostic laparoscopy can determine whether you have conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids. It can also be a form of treatment. With miniaturized instruments, your doctor can perform a variety of surgeries. These include:

• cyst removal
• tubal ligation, which is surgical contraception
• hysterectomy
• Laparoscopy generally has a shorter healing time than open surgery. It also leaves smaller scars.

A gynecologist, general surgeon, or another type of specialist may perform this procedure.

Reasons for gynecologic laparoscopy
Laparoscopy can be used for diagnosis, treatment, or both. A diagnostic procedure can sometimes turn into treatment.

Some reasons for diagnostic laparoscopy are:

• unexplained pelvic pain
• unexplained infertility
• a history of pelvic infection

Conditions that might be diagnosed using laparoscopy include:

• endometriosis
• fibroids
• cysts or tumors
• pelvic abscess, or pus
• pelvic adhesions, or painful scar tissue
• infertility
• reproductive cancers
• Some types of laparoscopic treatment include:

hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus
removal of fibroids
blocking blood flow to fibroids
endometrial tissue ablation, which is a treatment for endometriosis
adhesion removal
reversal of a contraceptive surgery called tubal ligation
Burch procedure for incontinence
vault suspension to treat a prolapsed uterus

We help identify diseases, condition, or injury from its signs and symptoms. A health history, physical exam, and tests, such as blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies, may be used to help make a diagnosis.