Laparoscopy
What is Laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen and pelvis. It involves only small incisions and offers a low-risk alternative to traditional open surgery.
This procedure is performed using a special instrument called a laparoscope — a thin, flexible tube fitted with a high-resolution camera and a bright light. The laparoscope is inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall, and as it moves, it transmits clear, real-time images to a video monitor. This allows doctors to view your internal organs with precision without the need for large surgical cuts.
In addition to diagnosis, laparoscopy also allows for biopsies (tissue sampling) and, when needed, immediate treatment of abnormalities during the same procedure.
Why is Laparoscopy Performed? Laparoscopy is often recommended to diagnose the cause of unexplained abdominal or pelvic pain, especially when non-invasive methods do not provide conclusive results.
It may be used to assess conditions such as:
Pelvic infections
Endometriosis
Fibroids or ovarian cysts
Ectopic pregnancy
Infertility issues
Abdominal tumors or adhesions
Before laparoscopy, doctors usually perform imaging tests such as:
Ultrasound: Uses high-frequency sound waves to generate internal images
CT Scan: Uses special X-rays for cross-sectional images of organs
MRI: Uses magnets and radio waves to create detailed images
When these tests do not provide a clear diagnosis, laparoscopy becomes the next step to directly view and evaluate the internal organs.