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Overview about Laparoscopy
Treatment modalities like IVF, laparoscopic surgery, and ART are used widely to fulfill many people's dreams regarding infertility. With the advancement in medical technology, there are still diseases that require surgery, following which the chances of fertility increase. Nevertheless, many people are terrified of major surgery. Here, laparoscopy comes to the rescue, as it is a less invasive procedure that requires a short recovery period and is less painful.
What is laparoscopy for infertility?
Among the various causative factors of infertility in women, 30-40% of cases involve tubal and peritoneal factors, and the treatment for this requires surgical intervention.
It means around 30-40% of cases have an obstruction in the tubes, adhesions in the fallopian tubes, fibroid uterus, endometriosis, congenital malformation of the uterus, etc., which need laparoscopic surgery.
The laparoscopic procedures are mildly invasive surgeries, and they are labeled as follows:
- Diagnostic laparoscopy- A laparoscopy is used to diagnose infertility factors, visualize, and know what they are.
- Operative (therapeutic) laparoscopy - A type of laparoscopy where the purpose of the surgery is to remove adhesions and abnormal growths.
When is laparoscopy used?
Laparoscopy is the gold standard (ideal method) for evaluating tubal factors that cause infertility. The procedure is performed after a male causative factor and ovulatory functions have been normal or corrected.
These are some of the common indications for laparoscopy that indicate you might be a good candidate:
- If your age is above 35 years
- While testing, you have abnormal HSG
- If you are not able to conceive even after normal HSG
- If you are suffering from any endometriosis
- Have unexplained infertility
- An unrelated benign growth in the fallopian tubes or ovaries
- Genital prolapse
- Has PCOS
- Need a reconstructive tubal surgery
- Requires adhesiolysis (removal of adhesions)
When are you not eligible for a laparoscopy?
There are some circumstances in which you are not eligible to undergo diagnostics as well as therapeutic laparoscopy.
These conditions are-
- Pregnancy of more than 16 weeks
- Severe cardiopulmonary diseases
- Severe pelvic infections
- Generalized peritonitis
- Intestinal obstruction
- Advanced cancerous stage
- Large pelvic tumor
- An individual is on anticoagulation treatment.
What is the procedure of laparoscopy?
Even though laparoscopy is a mildly invasive surgery, pre-operative, intra-operative, and postoperative responsibilities still need attention.
Before the procedure-
Your doctor runs several investigations to rule out the contraindicated conditions and then takes your consent to perform this procedure.
The day before surgery, you need to eat a light diet, and you are not permitted to consume anything in the morning on the day of surgery. Although, it is recommended not to consume anything 8 hours preceding the surgery.
Moreover, the cleansing enema is given in the evening before surgery so that your abdomen will be cleaned. Also, your pubic hair will be removed.
Then, you will then be given general anesthesia after an IV line is inserted into your hand or arm.
During the procedure-
During the procedure, you will lie on an operating table in a lithotomy position, which means you will have your back to the table, your legs bent at 90-degree angles at the hip and knee, and your feet resting on a pad secured to the table.
Once you are in a suitable position, a small cut is made below the umbilical area to introduce a needle into your abdomen. The abdomen is inflated with gas so that your doctor can see the abdominal organs. Then, a laparoscope is introduced into the body.
After introducing the laparoscope, a systematic inspection of the pelvic and abdominal organs is done to examine and visualize the causative factor of infertility.
When laparoscopy is done as part of a diagnostic procedure, then the procedure is thoroughly visualized. Still, if it is part of an operative procedure, all the required surgical instruments are introduced, and the procedure is then performed.
After the procedure-
Similar to any other surgery, proper care is also required after operative laparoscopy. Therefore, your doctor puts you on an antibiotic course, and you are allowed to begin consuming your regular diet within the next 12 hours.
It is also advisable to engage in physical activities after 10-12 days. You should also avoid sexual activity for six weeks following the operative laparoscopy.
What are the benefits of laparoscopy for infertility?
A laparoscopy is a gold standard procedure for doctors and patients. Patients benefit from detailed visualization and fewer pains associated with the procedure.
There are some other benefits of laparoscopy as well like:
- With the help of laparoscopy detection of tubal patency, block (site and side), adhesions can be seen and treated.
- Diseases like endometriosis, PID that may be a cause of infertility are diagnosed.
- Uterine fibroids treatment has an advantageous factor if done with laparoscopy.
- PCOS surgical treatment can be easily executed by laparoscopy.
- Peritoneal Factors like adhesions, PID, tuberculosis are operated on with laparoscopy.
- Rapid postoperative recovery
- Requires fewer analgesics
- A shorter hospital stay
- Less operative pain
- Fewer after-surgery complications
- No large abdominal scar
- Can resume daily activities early
- Lower blood loss
- No postoperative adhesions
- Lower risk for incisional hernias
What are the complications of laparoscopy for infertility?
Despite the positive effects, there are some complications of laparoscopy as well.
The complications can be fully related to the laparoscopy procedure due to the anesthesia given at the time of laparoscopy or any other causes.
Some of the complications are-
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Injury to blood vessels
- Injury to the bowel because of an instrument of laparoscopy when there are adhesions.
- Injuries to organs such as the bowel or bladder
- Hypoventilation
- Hemorrhage (Blood Loss)
- Complications due to gas introduced during laparoscopy
- Infection
How can Crysta IVF help you in laparoscopy?
With our fertility expert's guidance, the laparoscopy for infertility for diagnostics and therapeutic purposes is well-executed and reduces the chances of complications. Also, all the instruments and equipment are sterilized and well maintained, which is required in laparoscopy.
In a nutshell, laparoscopy, recommended by fertility experts, is a convenient form of surgery and diagnosis and has few complications. It is suitable as the hospital stay is also reduced, and postoperative care is easy.
Many infertile women who suffer from tubal blockage, adhesions, or unexplained infertility benefit from laparoscopy. As it can increase the chances of conception, naturally or with IVF.