The patient is usually administered general anaesthesia for gynaecological laparoscopy, where the patient is unconscious during the procedure.

The surgeon will first make one or more tiny incisions or cuts in the patient's lower abdomen. Then a thin tube is inserted through one of the cuts to send carbon dioxide that will gently inflate the abdomen so that the surgeon can view better.

Then a laparoscope, or a flexible tube with a tiny camera at one end, is inserted into one of the other incisions. This camera connected to a monitor is used to see inside the abdomen. Through the other cut, the doctor might insert tiny specialised surgical instruments to further help in viewing.

Now, the surgeon will then inspect the pelvic organs and the surrounding abdominal organs. The doctor will be also be looking for growths like cysts, fibroids and scar tissues, and endometrial growths. The shape, colour, and size of the reproductive organs are also checked. The doctor might inject a dye through the cervix to check if the fallopian tubes are open.

The surgeon will carefully take out the instruments out of the patient's abdomen and then close the incisions with stitches or adhesives. They will heal in a couple of days.

These are some of the common questions that will help the patient:

• Is Laparoscopy painful ? In the days following laparoscopic surgery, the patient might feel moderate pain to throbbing pain in the areas where the incisions were made. Any pain or discomfort would improve within a few days. The pain is usually a result of the carbon dioxide gas used to inflate your abdomen to create a working space for the surgical instruments.

• What are the side effects of laparoscopic surgery ? Some patients might experience the following:

A small amount of bleeding from the vagina
Pain and discomfort in the abdomen
Shoulder pain
Tiredness
Bruises around your wounds
Feeling sick (nausea)

• Are there any risks ? Diagnostic Laparoscopy usually has minimal risks. But in very rare cases, the following issues might occur

Damage to an abdominal blood vessel, the bladder, the bowel, the uterus, and other pelvic structures
Nerve damage
Allergic reactions
Adhesions
Blood clots
Problems with urinating
Complications from the gas used to fill the abdominal cavity if it enters a blood vessel.

• When to see a doctor ? It is recommended that the patient visit our hospital immediately when they experience any of the following symptoms:

Serious abdominal pain
Prolonged nausea and vomiting
Fever of 101°F or higher
Pus or significant bleeding at the incision site
Problems with urinating
Pain during urination or bowel movements