What is Laparoscopy?

Click here to view an animated version of this procedure.

Many types of surgery can now be done with a laparoscope. Some examples include:

• Hernia repair
• Biopsy of abdominal organs
• Appendectomy
• Colectomy
• Gallbladder or gallstone removal
• Tubal ligation
• Ectopic pregnancy surgery
• Hysterectomy
• Fibroid tumor removal
• Adrenal gland removal
• Splenectomy
• Lysis of adhesions in abdomen

It can also be done to help make a diagnosis.

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a laparoscopy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Damage to blood vessels or organs
• Problems related to anesthesia
• The need for open surgery rather than laparoscopic surgery

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Heart or lung condition

• Obesity

• Previous abdominal surgery

• Diabetes

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
• Nausea and/or...