Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery)
Laparoscopy is a type of keyhole surgery used to diagnose and treat conditions. It allows a surgeon to use only small cuts and a camera for procedures inside the tummy or pelvis.
Why a laparoscopy is done
• A laparoscopy can be used to diagnose conditions such as appendicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and some cancers, such as liver cancer and ovarian cancer.
• It’s also used for surgery to treat conditions, such as:
• removing organs such as the appendix or gallbladder
• repairing hernias or burst or bleeding stomach ulcers
• removing organs affected by cancer, such as the ovaries, prostate or liver
• treating an ectopic pregnancy
• removing the womb (hysterectomy) or fibroids
• weight loss surgery
• A laparoscopy is often recommended because the recovery time is faster than other types of surgery.
Preparing for a laparoscopy
• The hospital will give you information about how to prepare for a laparoscopy.
• Depending on why you’re having a laparoscopy, you may be asked to do certain things, such as:
• not eating or drinking
• stop taking certain medicines, such as anticoagulants
• stop smoking
• You cannot drive after having a laparoscopy, so you’ll need to organize for someone to drive you home.