Diagnostic Pelvic Laparoscopy

Minimally invasive laparoscopy can be used to help diagnose conditions within the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other nearby organs.

Laparoscopy is often used to diagnose conditions that may be present in a woman’s reproductive organs. Traditionally, in certain situations, doctors would have to open a woman’s abdomen to view organs and make a diagnosis. Now, technological surgical advancements have made it possible for Kelsey-Seybold physicians to offer minimally invasive laparoscopic diagnosis including the use of the da Vinci® Surgical System.

This allows for a generally safer procedure that gets patients back to life faster than traditional methods. It also allows physicians to get a clearer and more detailed view of any conditions that may be present.

Within the reproductive system, laparoscopy can help diagnose any conditions within the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and nearby organs. These conditions include adhesions and endometriosis.

A diagnostic pelvic laparoscopy is often recommended when other diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound and X-ray, cannot confirm the cause of a condition. Your doctor might use laparoscopy to:

• Find the cause of pain in the pelvic and abdominal regions
• Examine a tissue mass
• Diagnose endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease
• Check for blocked fallopian tubes or for other causes of infertility

How it Works

The da Vinci system is powered by robotic technology that allows a surgeon to make hand movements that guide the smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments that have been inserted into the small incisions in the patient’s skin. One of the instruments is a laparoscope, a thin tube with a tiny camera at the end. The camera sends images to a monitor so the surgeon can view what’s happening inside the patient’s body and diagnose any issues. The surgeon is completely in control of the da Vinci system during the entire procedure.

A small incision is made near the navel, where the laparoscope is inserted. The abdomen is inflated to make organs easier to view. Other incisions are made to insert additional instruments if needed to perform further surgical procedures.

Diagnostic pelvic laparoscopy can be used to diagnose such conditions as:

• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Pelvic floor disorders
• Some types of cancer

Kelsey-Seybold OB/GYN specialists are trained in da Vinci robotic diagnostic pelvic laparoscopy.