Diagnostic Laparoscopy Guideline
Diagnostic laparoscopy is a laparoscopic surgical procedure in which surgeons use to view abdominal cavity to detect any pathology. A laparoscope, a thin viewing tube similar to a telescope, is passed through a small incision in the abdomen. Using the laparoscope, the doctor can look directly at the outside of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and nearby organs. WALS has given a series of statement to assist surgeons and patients about diagnostic laparoscopy.
Diagnostic laparoscopy is a safe and well tolerated procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting under general or occasionally local anaesthesia with IV sedation in carefully selected patients. Diagnostic laparoscopy should be performed by physician trained in laparoscopic technique that can recognize and treat common complication and can treat and perform other therapeutic procedures if it is necessary during performing diagnostic laparoscopy.
About three out of every 1,000 women who have laparoscopy have complications. Possible complications include injury to nearby organs, bleeding, or a problem related to the anaesthesia.Discuss any concerns you have with your doctor. During the procedure the patient is continuously monitored and resuscitation capability should immediately be available. Laparoscopy should be performed under sterilized environment with meticulous disinfection of laparoscopic instruments. Overnight observation of patient is essential after diagnostic laparoscopy there are only certain indications where day care diagnostic laparoscopy may be considered.
Office based diagnostic laparoscopy should only be performed when complication and the need for therapeutic procedure through the same access are highly unlikely. Surgeon or gynaecologist should be careful if:
- Persistent nausea and vomiting for more than 24 hours
- Temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 24 hours
- Redness, swelling, drainage, or bleeding around the incision
- After the first day of surgery: Menstrual flow that is heavier than normal, heavy bleeding with clots, or soaking a sanitary pad in less than two hours
Diagnostic laparoscopy has become an integral part of general surgical procedures with the recent advancements in laparoscopic technology. Since surgeons are more oriented in viewing and dissection of different intra-abdominal areas and are proficient in the definitive management of complications in the procedures, diagnostic laparoscopy may be better off in the hands of surgeons.
Laparoscopy has proved to be an important tool in final minimally invasive exploration for selected medical patients with chronic abdominal disorders, the diagnosis of which remains uncertain despite employing the requisite laboratory and non-invasive imaging investigations.