Treatment Options
Laparoscopic Surgery
What is Laparoscopic Surgery?
Laparoscopic Surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera attached, is inserted through small incisions that are made on the abdomen and allow for direct visualization of the pelvic organs. It can help your doctor diagnose complications and irregularities such as fibroids, scar tissue, endometriosis, and blocked fallopian tubes – all of which can cause infertility. If any irregularities are discovered within your pelvic cavity, the doctor may make one to three additional small incisions on your abdomen to insert the surgical instruments used to resolve the irregularities.
How does Laparoscopic Surgery work?
The minimally invasive procedure is thoughtfully designed, following a series of precise steps aimed at providing you with comprehensive care. During the procedure, you’ll rest comfortably under general anesthesia, ensuring your well-being throughout the entire process.
During the procedure, general anesthesia will be administered. This will keep you comfortably asleep and pain-free throughout the surgery.
The surgeon will create small incisions, typically about 0.5 inches, on your abdomen. Through these small incisions, one to three ports for the surgical instruments will be carefully inserted.
To get a clear and detailed view of your pelvic organs and the pelvic cavity, the abdomen will be filled with carbon dioxide gas. The gas will inflate your abdomen and create the necessary space in the pelvic cavity for thorough examination.
Once the surgical team has a clear visual, they will carefully assess the pelvic area for any potential issues or abnormalities. Any findings of concern can be addressed promptly.
Depending on the diagnostic results, appropriate corrective measures may be performed. These procedures often involve the use of specialized instruments such as lasers or cautery to address conditions like endometriosis or adhesiolysis, which involves removing scar tissue that may be affecting pelvic function.
After the surgeon has completed the procedure, the surgical instruments and gas are carefully removed, and the surgeon will stitch up the small incisions.
Does Laparoscopic Surgery improve infertility?
Laparoscopic Surgery can help your fertility and enhance your chances of conceiving. The minimally invasive procedure identifies any abnormalities such as fibroids, polyps, or ovarian cysts, that may be causing infertility. Abnormalities found in the uterine cavity can act as obstructions that block sperm from fertilizing eggs in the uterus or prevent fertilized embryos from IVF from successfully implanting. In some cases, if pregnancy is achieved, uterine abnormalities may cause recurrent miscarriages. The removal of the blockages through diagnostic procedures like Laparoscopic Surgery can increase your chances of successful conception.
Laparoscopic Surgery Recovery
Laparoscopic Surgery typically has a quick recovery time due to its minimally invasive nature. Patients may experience some gas pain due to the carbon dioxide placed in the abdomen, which also may cause shoulder pain due to the abdomen’s nerve irritation. These side effects often resolve within a day or two. Patients will also feel some discomfort around incision sites, but this will also resolve once healed. There is generally little to no scarring after the incisions are healed.
Complications after Laparoscopic Surgery are uncommon. However, in rare occurrences, some patients may experience bleeding, infection, damage to organs or blood vessels, and reactions to anesthesia.