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A laparoscope is a small telescope-like instrument that can
be inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. It comes
with a light so that your physician can see inside. It can
be used to diagnose, or confirm a diagnosis, of any number
for problems. Among the items that can be diagnosed are endometriosis,
adhesion s (scar tissue), fibroids, ovarian cysts, ectopic
pregnancies, and some causes of infertilization. Frequently,
your physician can treat the condition once the observation
phase is complete; the diagnostic laparoscopy can turn into
an operative laparoscopy. There are some procedures, such
as a tubal sterilization or vaginal hysterectomy that can
also be performed in this matter.
The benefits of doing a procedure with a laparoscope are
that the incisions are less invasive (smaller scar), with
a lower infection rate and a shorter recovery time. The advancement
in technology has made many more procedures able to be done
with a laparoscopy. Previously, these procedures would have
required major incisions, with the internal organs exposed
for visual contact. A procedure with open surgery is called
a laparotomy.
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