The information on this page was reviewed and approved by
Maurie Markman, MD, President, Medicine & Science at CTCA.
This page was updated on April 5, 2021.
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain or your doctor finds a suspicious area in the abdominal region, a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy may be recommended. During laparoscopy, your surgeon will make a very small incision near the belly button to insert a thin, hollow tube into the opening. The inside of your abdomen will be examined with a laparoscope, a small telescope designed for medical use that has a light and video camera on the end. Using this device, your surgeon can view all of your pelvic and abdominal organs to identify abnormalities. If needed, suspicious areas can be removed using additional tools.
Your doctor may recommend diagnostic testing if you’re experiencing issues in the abdomen and pelvis, such as:
Your doctor may recommend noninvasive imaging studies first, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or ultrasound. Sometimes, more invasive procedures are required to determine if a mass is cancerous. In these instances, tissue samples of suspicious areas called biopsies may be collected during laparoscopy and sent to a lab for testing.
Laparoscopy is used to diagnose and treat small tumors linked to the following cancers:
Prior to the procedure, your doctor may order other imaging tests (including an ultrasound, CT scan, MRI or X-ray) to get a clearer picture of what is happening inside of your abdomen. These tests will help your surgeon identify areas of concern to investigate further during the laparoscopy procedure. A radiologist may also do a test called a CT-guided needle biopsy by placing a needle into the abdomen to extract a small tissue sample. This helps to determine if a laparoscopy is warranted.
Prior to your procedure:
The procedure typically takes between 30 to 90 minutes.
In both instances, biopsy and surgical results will likely be shared with you when they are available.
There are many benefits of laparoscopy versus open surgery, including less pain, a faster recovery time and a lower risk of infection. The amount of time you have to stay in the hospital is typically shorter when you have laparoscopic surgery, and because the incisions made to perform a laparoscopy are so small, your scars may be much less noticeable.
While laparoscopy is less invasive than open surgery, it can take longer to perform. The longer you’re under anesthesia, the greater the risk of complications, which can take weeks after surgery to show up. Complications may include:
If you experience signs of serious complications such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, a fever that won’t go away, or you’re coughing up blood, contact your care team immediately.
Available 24/7 to discuss treatment options