Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy
If you have trouble in conceiving or facing any infertility issues, there are many ways to treat your fertility problems. Once you complete all the basic infertility evaluation, your doctor may suggest you to undergo laparoscopy. It is a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic minor surgical procedure that can increase the chances of your pregnancy.
When other tests can not find the underlying cause of infertility, the doctor needs to look directly for your reproductive organs. With the arrival of advanced technologies, it has become possible to perform minimally invasive surgeries with accuracy. Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy being two such surgeries , are advised to diagnose and treat infertility problems.
What is Laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy is a surgical and diagnostic procedure that enables the doctor to check a woman’s reproductive system. A thin tube called a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. The laparoscope has a high-resolution camera at the front, which sends images to a video monitor. A surgeon can visualize uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries to determine the causes of infertility.Laparoscopy is less painful and needs minimal incision. With fast recovery, it requires a short hospital stay. It helps in both the diagnosis and treatment of infertility issues. It is also called ‘keyhole surgery ’ or ‘bandaid surgery’.
Laparoscopy for Infertility
Laparoscopy for infertility is generally advised when women have unexplained infertility, that is when all other fertility test results are normal. Laparoscopy is also advised to determine the cause of any abdominal pain or discomfort.
Laparoscopy can help the doctor to determine the underlying cause of infertility, such as:
- Blocked fallopian tubes, Hydrosalpinx
- Scar tissue build-up, Adhesions
- Endometriosis
- Fibroid, Ovarian cyst
- Other anatomical abnormalities of the reproductive system
Using laparoscopy doctors not only diagnose but also remove the underlying anomaly causing infertility, giving you a chance for natural conception. In case of any suspicious growth, a biopsy can be taken during laparoscopy. Laparoscopy can be used to remove scar tissue or a fibroid. By treating conditions like endometriosis or hydrosalpinx, laparoscopy increases the IVF success rate.
Benefits
Some anomalies are often the reason for unexplained infertility. Laparoscopy, by helping in the diagnosis and treatment of these problems increases the chances of pregnancy.
- Treatment of endometriosis -In endometriosis, endometrial tissue grows outside the uterine cavity instead of lining it. This causes severe pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and also infertility. Endometriosis causes inflammation of fallopian tubes, scarring, or even blockage. Laparoscopy can resolve this issue by removing the lesion caused by endometriosis.
- Ovarian cystectomy - These are the fluid-filled sacs that sometimes cause extreme pain and discomfort. When removal of the cyst is needed, laparoscopy is the best option.
- Myomectomy - It is the removal of fibroids from the uterus. These fibroids cause pelvic pain, heavy menstruation, and also blockage of the uterus, making it difficult to conceive. Myomectomy can be done successfully by laparoscopy with minimal incision.
- Lysis of uterine adhesions - It is a procedure of removal of scar tissue from the uterus. Laparoscopic lysis reduces the risk of any future adhesions, thus increases the chances of fertility.
Laparoscopic surgery is an excellent option for women facing infertility issues when compared to other traditional surgeries. Unlike open surgeries, laparoscopy avoids large open wounds; it has a better outcome and faster recovery.
Laparoscopy Surgery
Laparoscopy is a simple procedure performed under general anesthesia. After giving a general anesthesia surgeon will insert a small needle into the abdomen to inject gas that dilates your abdomen. This makes it easier to view all the organs and structures. Then a laparoscope is inserted, and the doctor will examine the structures.
The steps further depend on the diagnosis. If there is an anomaly that needs surgery, a third incision is made to perform surgery. After completion of the procedure surgeon will remove the instruments and stitch the incision areas. You will be kept under observation for a few hours and will be sent home.
Slight pain and discomfort will be seen after surgery. You may also experience pain in the shoulders and abdomen as the injected gas starts to absorb. It will take a few days for these symptoms to disappear.
Side effects: Though it is a safe procedure, like any other surgery, there are few risks associated with laparoscopy. 1% to 2% of women may develop postoperative complications such as bladder infection, adhesions, infection of the incision site, and hematomas in the abdominal wall. Report to your doctor during any such side effects.
Recovery - Post-surgery, you will be under observation to see if there are any complications. Depending on your physical condition, you will be sent home after several hours or a day. When compared to other traditional surgeries, the recovery time of laparoscopy is much shorter. You will be given medication to help relieve pain. You can begin your normal activities within a few days.
Laparoscopy Success Rate
Laparoscopy is a safe and precise procedure for evaluating and treating causes infertility in women. After this procedure, women stand a better chance of getting pregnant naturally or with fertility treatments.
Bottom Line
A laparoscopy is a great tool that can treat many gynecological problems, including infertility. Laparoscopy is useful in evaluating and treating the causes of infertility. It allows the doctor to offer the most appropriate treatment. When this procedure is performed before IVF, it will improve the chances of conception.Whatever route you choose for your infertility treatment, always discuss your concerns with your doctor. A specialist doctor can help you prepare mentally and physically for such surgical therapies.