Recommending a Diagnostic Laparoscopy

Your doctor may be recommending a diagnostic laparoscopy if you have certain symptoms, such as abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Depending on your doctor's findings, the diagnostic laparoscopy may turn into an operative laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is safer and less invasive than open abdominal surgery, so shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times are other reasons for recommending a diagnostic laparoscopy.

Recommending a Diagnostic Laparoscopy: An Overview

Based on your medical history, physical exam, and current symptoms, your doctor may be recommending a procedure called diagnostic or operative laparoscopy to help diagnose, and possibly treat, your pelvic condition. A diagnostic laparoscopy, as the name says, is used to diagnose an abnormal condition. If your doctor finds that the condition can be treated during the procedure, a diagnostic laparoscopy can turn into an operative laparoscopy.
 
You are probably experiencing some abdominal pain, discomfort, and/or abnormal vaginal bleeding. There are several conditions involving the female reproductive system that can cause these symptoms. It is also possible that you may have problems with infertility, or you may want to be sterilized.
 
Laparoscopy can be used as a tool for diagnosing and treating several different conditions by actually looking inside your abdomen. This technique offers patients many advantages over traditional surgery. With laparoscopy, patients usually have shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times because it is a simpler, less invasive procedure.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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