Procedure Overview

Other related procedures that may be used to examine the abdomen include abdominal x-ray, computed tomography (CT scan) of the abdomen, abdominal ultrasound, abdominal angiogram and MRI.

Reasons for the Procedure

The abdomen contains organs of the gastrointestinal, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems. An abdominal laparoscopy may be performed to assess the abdomen and its organs for tumors and other lesions, injuries, intra-abdominal bleeding, infections, unexplained abdominal pain, obstructions, or other conditions, particularly when another type of examination such as physical examination, x-ray, or CT scan is not conclusive.

Laparoscopy may be used to determine the stage of cancer of the abdominal organs. It may also be used to evaluate abdominal trauma, including the depth and location of injury, and the extent of intra-abdominal bleeding.

There may be other reasons for your physician to recommend a laparoscopy.

Risks of the Procedure

As with any surgical procedure, complications may occur. Possible complications of laparoscopy include, but are not limited to, bleeding from the site of insertion and misplacement of the gas used to help visualize the organs.

If you are pregnant or suspect that you may be pregnant, you should notify your physician.

In certain situations, laparoscopy may be contraindicated. These situations include patients with advanced abdominal wall malignancies, chronic tuberculosis, thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count) or other bleeding problems, multiple surgical adhesions, and patients taking blood thinning medication.

There may be other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your physician prior to the procedure.

Certain factors or conditions may interfere with a laparoscopy. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• obesity
• history of multiple surgeries resulting in adhesions that prevent safe access to the abdomen with a laparoscope
• blood from an intra-abdominal hemorrhage may prevent visualization with the laparoscope
  Before the Procedure

You will be asked to sign a consent form that gives your permission to do the test. Read the form carefully and ask questions if something is not clear.

In addition to a complete medical history, we will perform a physical examination to ensure you are in good health before undergoing the procedure. You may undergo blood or other diagnostic tests.

You will be asked to fast for eight hours before the procedure, generally after midnight.

If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should notify us.

Notify your physician if you are sensitive to or are allergic to any medications, latex, tape, and anesthetic agents (local and general).

Notify us physician of all medications (prescribed and over-the-counter) and herbal supplements that you are taking.

Notify us if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, aspirin, or other medications that affect blood clotting. It may be necessary for you to stop these medications prior to the procedure.

The area of the abdomen where the incision is to be made may be shaved.

A cleansing enema may be given a few hours before the procedure.

You may receive a sedative prior to the procedure, depending on the type of procedure being done. If your procedure is to be done on an outpatient basis, you will need to have someone drive you home afterwards because of the sedation given prior to and during the procedure.

Based upon your medical condition, we may request other specific preparation.

A laparoscopy may be performed on an outpatient basis or as part of your stay in a hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition. Dr. Hassan utilizes advanced laproscopic surgery and performs minimally invasive incisions for a number of conditions such as colectomy,( right and left colon reception), appendectomy in acutely inflamed appendix, abdominal hernia repair with mesh and cholecystectomy.

Generally, a laparoscopy follows this process:

You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.

You will be asked to remove clothing and be given a gown to wear.

An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted in your arm or hand.

An indwelling catheter may be inserted into the bladder to reduce the risk of bladder perforation.

You will be positioned on your back on the operating table.

The anesthesiologist will continuously monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level during the surgery.

The skin over the surgical site will be cleansed with an antiseptic solution.

A local anesthetic may be injected into the incision site to numb the area to lessen the pain at the site of the incision post surgery.

A small incision will be made in the abdomen just above the navel, or belly button.

Additional incisions may be made so that other surgical instruments can be used during the procedure.

Carbon dioxide gas will be introduced into the abdomen to inflate the abdominal cavity so that organs and other structures can be easily visualized.

The laparoscope will be inserted and the procedure will be performed.

Once the procedure has been completed, the laparoscope will be removed and the gas will be let out and suctioned through the port.

The incision(s) will be closed.

A sterile bandage/dressing or adhesive strips will be applied.

After the Procedure

After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. Your recovery process will vary depending upon the type of anesthesia that is given. Once your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing are stable and you are alert, you will be taken to your hospital room or discharged to your home. As a laparoscopy procedure may be performed on an outpatient basis, you may be discharged home from the out patient facility. If you experience sever nausia or pain in the recovery room, please let your nurse know because a simple change of pain medication will eliminate the nausia in most cases.

Once you are home, it is important to keep the surgical incisions clean and dry. We will give you specific bathing instructions. Dr. Hassan uses absorbable there is no need to remove them.

You may experience some discomfort in the at the top of the shoulder and the right side of the neck post surgery due to residual accumulation of carbon dioxide in spite of Dr. Hassan's vigorous attempts to suction all of the gas at the end of the procedure. If you experience this discomfort it usually lasts one to two days and it will become less intense each day.

Avoid drinking carbonated beverages for one to two days after the procedure. This will help minimize the discomfort associated with the carbon dioxide gas. In addition, drinking carbonated beverages may cause nausea.

You may be allowed to drink clear fluids within a few hours of the procedure. Your diet may gradually be advanced to more solid foods as tolerated.

You may be instructed to limit physical activity for several days after the procedure. You are not allowed to drive or to operate machinery the day of surgery if you have been sedated, given general anesthesia or are taking powerful analgesics.

Notify Dr. Hassan to report any of the following:

• fever and/or chills
• redness, swelling, or bleeding or other drainage from the incision site(s)
• increased pain around the incision site(s)
• vomiting
• difficulty with urinating

Following a laparoscopy, we may give you additional or alternate instructions depending on your particular situation.

Online Resources

The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from this office. Please consult with Dr. Hassan with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

This page contains links to other Web sites with information about this procedure and related health conditions. We hope you find these sites helpful, but please remember we do not control or endorse the information presented on these Web sites, nor do these sites endorse the information contained here.