Laparoscopy Health Article

Alternatives

The alternatives to laparoscopy vary, depending on the medical condition being treated. Laparotomy (open abdominal surgery with larger incision) may be pursued when further visualization is needed to treat the condition, such as in the case of pain of severe endometriosis with deeper lesions. For those female patients with pelvic masses, transvaginal sonography may be a helpful technique in obtaining information about whether such masses are malignant, assisting in the choice between laparoscopy or laparotomy.

BOOKS

Merrell, Ronald C., ed. Laparoscopic Surgery. New York: Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., 1999.

Pasic, Resad P., Ronald L. Levine. A Practical Manual of Laparoscopy: A Clinical Cookbook. New York: The Parthenon Publishing Group, 2002.

Schier, Felix. Laparoscopy in Children. Berlin: Springer, 2003.

Soderstrom, Richard M., ed. Operative Laparoscopy, 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 1998.

Webb, Maurice, ed. J. Mayo Clinic Manual of Pelvic Surgery, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, 2000.

Zucker, Karl A., ed. Surgical Laparoscopy, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, 2001.

PERIODICALS

Abu-Rustum, Nadeem R. "Laparoscopy 2003: Oncologic Perspective." Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology 46, no.1 (March 2003): 61-69.

Bieber, Eric. "Laparoscopy: Past, Present, and Future." Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology 46, no.1 (March 2003): 3–14.

Boike, Guy M., and Brian Dobbins. "New Equipment for Operative Laparoscopy." Contemporary OB/GYN, no. 2 (April 1998). <http://consumer.pdr.net/consumer/psrecord.htm>.

Chandler, J.G., S.L. Corson, L.W. Way. "Three Spectra of Laparoscopic Entry Access Injuries." Journal of American College of Surgeons 192, no.4 (April 2001):478–490.

ORGANIZATIONS

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 409 12th Street SW, P.O. Box 96920, Washington, DC 20090-6920. <http://www.acog.org>.

Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES). 2716 Ocean Park Boulevard, Suite 3000, Santa Monica, CA 90405. (310) 314-2404. <http://www.endoscopy-sages.com>.

Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. 7330 SW 62nd Place, Suite 410, Miami, FL 33143-4825. (305) 665-9959. <http://www.sls.org>.

OTHER

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. <http://www.webmm.ahrq.gov/cases.aspx?ic=3>.

"Diagnostic Laparoscopy." Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. <http://www.sages.org/pi_diaglap.html>.

"Laparoscopy." WebMD.com. October 24, 2002). <http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/21/5199.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348>.

Jennifer E. Sisk, M.A.
Jill Granger, M.S.

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE DOCTOR

• Will this surgery be covered by my insurance? Will any postsurgical care that I require also be covered?
• What do I need to do to prepare for the surgery? Are there any restrictions on diet, fluid intake, or other measures?
• Are there any medications that should be stopped prior to the surgery?
• Does my medical history pose any potential problems that need to be considered before undergoing this procedure?
• What is your (the doctor's) training in performing this surgery? Will you perform the actual surgery or will a trainee?
• What aftereffects can I expect?
• Are there any post-surgical symptoms that might indicate a complication that I should report, and to whom should these questions be directed? What post-surgical symptoms should be considered "normal" and how might discomfort be relieved?
• What is the expected recovery period from this procedure?
• What special care or self-care is required following this surgery?

WHO PERFORMS THE PROCEDURE AND WHERE IS IT PERFORMED?

Laparoscopy may be performed by a gynecologist, general surgeon, gastroenterologist, or other physician—depending upon the patient's condition. An anesthesiologist is required during the procedure to administer general and/or local anesthesia and to perform patient monitoring. Nurses and surgical technicians/assistants are needed during the procedure to assist with scope positioning, video system adjustments and image recording, and laparoscopic instrumentation.