Laparoscopy

During laparoscopy, a surgeon inserts a thin telescope (laparoscope) through a small incision at or below the navel while the patient is under general anesthesia. Additional small ports allow surgical instruments to be passed in. The abdominal cavity is filled with carbon dioxide gas to create space for visualization.

In fertility medicine, laparoscopy is used to diagnose and surgically treat endometriosis, pelvic adhesions, ovarian cysts (including endometriomas), uterine fibroids, and fallopian tube damage. It is also used for GIFT. Compared with open surgery, recovery is faster and scarring is minimal. Diagnostic laparoscopy has largely been replaced by high-quality MRI and ultrasound for initial workup, but surgery remains necessary when treatment is required.