Diagnostic laparoscopy & treatment to endometriosis

A laparoscopy and dye test is an operation to help find out why you are having difficulty becoming pregnant. The dye test will show if your fallopian tubes are blocked. The laparoscopy will help find out if you have endometriosis, pelvic infection, adhesions, ovarian cysts or fibroids. Some minor treatments can be performed at the same time.

A laparoscopy and dye test may help your doctor find out the cause of your infertility.

An x-ray called a hysterosalpingogram or an ultrasound test called HyCoSy can show if your tubes are blocked.

A laparoscopy and dye test is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. The operation usually takes about fifteen minutes.

Your gynaecologist will make several small cuts on your abdomen. They will place surgical instruments, along with a telescope, inside your abdomen and perform the operation.

They will inject a dye, which passes through the cervix, uterine cavity and down the fallopian tubes.

General complications of any operation:

• Pain
• Sickness
• Bleeding
• Infection in the surgical wound
• Unsightly scarring
• Blood clots

Specific complications of this operation:

• Damage to internal organs
• Developing a hernia near one of the cuts
• Surgical emphysema
• Failure to find out what the problem is
• Failed procedure
• Infection of the gynaecological organs or bladder

You should be able to go home the same day or the day after.

A member of the healthcare team will tell you the results of the laparoscopy and dye test and will discuss with you any treatment or follow-up you need.

You should rest for the first one to two days.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

A laparoscopy and dye test helps to find out the cause of infertility, particularly if the fallopian tubes are blocked. Some minor treatments can be performed at the same time.