Gynecologic laparoscopy is an alternative to open surgery. It uses a laparoscope to look inside your pelvic area. Open surgery often requires a large incision.

A laparoscope is a slender, lighted telescope. It allows your doctor to see inside your body. Diagnostic laparoscopy can determine whether you have conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids. It can also be a form of treatment. With miniaturized instruments, your doctor can perform a variety of surgeries. These include:

1. ovarian cyst removal
2. tubal ligation, which is surgical contraception
3. hysterectomy

Laparoscopy generally has a shorter healing time than open surgery. It also leaves smaller scars. A gynecologist, general surgeon, or another type of specialist may perform this procedure.

Reasons for gynecologic laparoscopy

Laparoscopy can be used for diagnosis, treatment, or both. A diagnostic procedure can sometimes turn into treatment.

Some reasons for diagnostic laparoscopy are:

1. unexplained pelvic pain
2. unexplained infertility
3. a history of pelvic infection

Conditions that might be diagnosed using laparoscopy include:

1. endometriosis
2. uterine fibroids
3. ovarian cysts or tumors
4. ectopic pregnancy
5. pelvic abscess, or pus
6. pelvic adhesions, or painful scar tissue
7. infertility
8. pelvic inflammatory disease
9. reproductive cancers

Some types of laparoscopic treatment include:

1. hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus
2. removal of the ovaries
3. removal of ovarian cysts
4. removal of fibroids
5. blocking blood flow to fibroids
6. endometrial tissue ablation, which is a treatment for endometriosis
7. adhesion removal
8. reversal of a contraceptive surgery called tubal ligation
9. Burch procedure for incontinence
10.vault suspension to treat a prolapsed uterus