Laparoscopic Gynecology Surgery

Home / Center of Excellence / Obstetrics & Gynecology / Laparoscopic Gynecology Surgery

Laparoscopy (or peritoneoscopy) is a medical procedure used to examine the interior of the abdominal or pelvic cavities for the diagnosis or treatment (or both) of a number of different diseases and conditions. The advantage of laparoscopy is that only a small incision is required; this is why laparoscopy is also known as 'keyhole surgery'.

Laparoscopy examines the interior of the abdominal or pelvic cavity using a slender tube (laparoscope) inserted through a small incision. The laparoscope contains fibre-optic camera heads or surgical heads (or both). Prior to the advent of laparoscopy, doctors had to make large openings and cut through layers of tissue in order to examine internal organs. Laparoscopy greatly reduces the patient's recovery time.

Problems diagnosed or treated by laparoscopy

Some of the many problems that may be diagnosed or treated by laparoscopy include:

• Female infertility
  laparoscopy allows doctors to check for problems such as scar tissue, endometriosis and fibroid tumors, and to see if the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries are abnormal in any way.
  
  
• Other problems of the female reproductive system
  including pelvic floor and vaginal prolapse. Some types of hysterectomy can also be performed using laparoscopic surgery.
  
  
• Ectopic pregnancy
  the embryo lodges and grows within the fallopian tube. The developing embryo will eventually rupture the fallopian tube unless it is surgically removed.
  
  
• Adhesions
  the presence of scar tissue within the pelvic cavity.
  
  
• Diseases of the urinary system
  laparoscopy can be used to investigate or treat (or both) cancerous and non-cancerous conditions of the kidney, blockages of the ureter, bladder disease and incontinence.
  
  
• Cancers of the internal organs
  cancers of the liver and pancreas can be diagnosed using laparoscopy.
  
  
• Ascites
  or fluid inside the abdominal cavity; laparoscopy can help determine the cause.
  
  
• Other problems
  diseased organs (such as the gallbladder and appendix) can be removed with laparoscopy, and hernias can be repaired.