In some cases, more invasive techniques are recommended to determine the cause(s) and treat infertility, pelvic pain, painful periods and other disorders. One of the most common of these procedures is laparoscopy, which involves the introduction of a needle into the abdominal cavity, generally through the navel (umbilicus).
The abdominal cavity is filled with carbon dioxide gas in order to elevate the abdominal wall and visualize the pelvic and abdominal organs. A telescope is then introduced through a small abdominal incision into the pelvis and an attached external light source and video camera are used to enhance visualization.
Laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia. It can be performed for diagnostic purposes (diagnostic laparoscopy) or instruments may be introduced through additional incisions in the lower abdomen to enable the surgeon to perform certain procedures (operative laparoscopy). Dye may be injected through the cervix and uterus to help determine if your fallopian tubes are patent (open); this procedure is called chromopertubation.
Laparoscopy is often used to determine the cause of infertility and/or pelvic pain and can be used in many cases to remove ovarian cysts, evaluate the fallopian tubes, remove pelvic scar tissue or remove or destroy abnormal lesions in the pelvis.
