Laparoscopic surgery procedure that allows a doctor to see inside the body. When the procedure is part of fertility testing, the doctor is evaluating the structures of the reproductive system, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
Laparoscopy can help a doctor diagnose many conditions that affect fertility, such as:
- endometriosis
- blocked fallopian tubes
- buildups of scar tissue
- fibroids
- other abnormalities of the reproductive system
Laparoscopy can also help when a woman has unexplained infertility. This is the diagnosis when the results of other diagnostic tests were normal, but a woman is still unable to conceive. By taking a look at the reproductive organs, the doctor may be able to identify conditions that are preventing conception and are otherwise undetectable.
A person will receive anesthesia before the procedure, so they will not be awake or able to feel pain. After giving them the anesthesia, a surgeon will:
- insert a needle into the abdomen
- inject gas into the abdomen, to make it easier to see the organs and structures
- remove the needle and insert a small camera on an instrument called a laparoscope through a tiny incision
- make a second incision and insert a small tool called a probe
With the camera, the doctor will examine the structures in the abdomen. They will use the probe to move or lift organs out of the way.
Depending on what the doctor sees, there may be other steps, including:
- injecting dye through the fallopian tubes to see if they are open for sperm and eggs to travel through
- attempting to open blocked fallopian tubes
- removing scar tissue or adhesions
- correcting abnormalities
They may make a third incision in the abdomen and insert instruments to perform these additional procedures.
Finally, the surgeon will remove the tools and stitch up the incisions. A person will have to remain under observation for a few hours to make sure that there are no complications and that recovery is going well.
Anyone who has undergone a laparoscopy should have someone else drive them home. Also, someone should stay with them for up to 24 hours after surgery.