Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy
Intervention
ICD-9-CM	54.21
MeSH	D010535
OPS-301 code:	1-694

Laparoscopy (from Greek lapara, "flank or loin", and skopein, "to see, view or examine") is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions (usually 0.5–1.5 cm) with the aid of a camera. It can either be used to inspect and diagnose a condition or to perform surgery.

Types

There are two types of laparoscope: (1) a telescopic rod lens system, that is usually connected to a video camera (single chip or three chip), or (2) a digital laparoscope where the charge-coupled device is placed at the end of the laparoscope, eliminating the rod lens system.

Surgery

Main article: Laparoscopic surgery

The laparoscope allows doctors to perform both minor and complex surgeries with a few small cuts in the abdomen.

There are a number of advantages to the patient with laparoscopic surgery versus an open procedure. These include reduced pain due to smaller incisions and hemorrhaging, and shorter recovery time.

Gynecological diagnosis

Further information: Fertiloscope

In gynecology, diagnostic laparoscopy may be used to inspect the outside of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes, for example in the diagnosis female infertility. Usually, there is one incision near the navel and a second near to the pubic hairline.

For gynecological diagnosis a special type of laparoscope can be used, called a fertiloscope. A fertiloscope is modified to make it suitable for trans-vaginal application.

A dye test may be performed to detect any blockage in the reproductive tract, wherein a dark blue dye is passed up through the cervix and is followed with the laparoscope through its passage out into the fallopian tubes to the ovaries.

Pediatric laparoscopy

Although laparoscopy in adult age group is widely accepted, its advantages in pediatric age group is questioned. The benefits of laparoscopy appears to be diminished at a younger age. The efficacy of laparoscopy is inferior to open surgery in situations such as pyloromyotomy for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Although laparoscopic appendectomy results in less wounds than open surgery, the former is also associated with more intra-abdominal abscesses.