LAPAROSCOPY INFORMATION

Laparoscopy 090107
LAPAROSCOPY INFORMATION
The laparoscope is placed in an incision in the
belly button in order to see. Other incisions
may also be made for lasers and instruments
for major surgery. Dr. Martin is usually assisted
by surgical assistants or by hospital personnel.
Other doctors in practice or in training will be
introduced to you if they are present.
Laparoscopy is usually an out-patient procedure.
• You may be asleep from 1 to 4 hours.
• Common side effects include operative pain,
shoulder pain, bloating, bleeding, bladder
spasm, itching when shaved, sore throat, and
leaking of the flotation fluid.
• Nausea and vomiting may occur following
surgery. Have a plastic bag and towels in
your car in case this happens going home.
• 1 in 150 patients stay overnight due to
nausea, drowsiness or pain.
Problems such as bleeding, urinary retention,
infection, pneumonia, allergy or leg clots require
hospitalization in 1 in 400 basic laparoscopies.
Long term pain from scarring, nerve entrapment,
or tissue damage can follow any surgery. Major
problems may require surgery or blood
transfusion. The chance of a major problem is
reported at 1 in 1,250 sterilization laparoscopies
and 1 in 100 complex laparoscopies. More than
1 in 20 of some difficult cases may require open
surgery. Hysterectomy, decreased sexuality,
paralysis, colostomy, coma or death is rare. The
chance of problems increases with time,
difficulty, previous surgery, adhesions and
weight. Surgery may be limited or stopped if
there is increased risk. Other possibilities exist
and I am unable to guarantee a successful
completion or outcome of any surgery.
On rare occasion, unexpected cancer may be
found. Fertility patients generally benefit by
waiting for the accuracy of permanent sections.
Patients who are not interested in preserving
fertility may wish to proceed to hysterectomy on
the basis of a quicker but less accurate frozen
section in order to avoid a second surgery.
Pictures may be taken during surgery to show
you what was seen and done. They are also
used to teach other patients and other surgeons.
After surgery
• You should avoid any activities that
require concentration for 2 days.
• You may have soreness, tenderness, burning
or tingling for 3 weeks to 12 weeks.
• You can usually return to work and normal
tasks by 3 to 10 days.
• You may take 3 to 10 weeks for your
energy to return.
• You can usually start having sex after your
post-op visit.
If your tubes are scarred, you will need
sonograms and blood pregnancy tests early in
pregnancy to check for tubal pregnancy.
Treatment by 3 to 4 weeks may save the tubes.
Laparoscopy generally has fewer problems than
open surgery (laparotomy). However, some
problems can be hard to control at laparoscopy
and open surgery may be needed to care for
an emergency and to limit severe damage. In
some situations, open surgery is safer and better
than laparoscopy. Additional preparation such
as medication, bowel prep or banking your own
blood may be useful in some situations. Open
surgery generally requires 1 to 5 days in the
hospital, 2 to 8 weeks for recovery, and 2 to 6
months for complete return of energy. If there
are reasons for this before surgery, we will make
plans for decisions about open surgery.
Otherwise, we will stop and make decisions
later when this can be delayed safely and
reasonably.
Your insurance plan may not cover the total cost
of extensive operative laparoscopy. In addition,
some insurance plans have participating
physicians. You should clarify your insurance
coverage before you schedule surgery.
Please read this at home and ask questions before the day of surgery.
Dan C. Martin, M.D. UT Medical Group, Inc. 7945 Wolf River Boulevard, Suite 320 Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: 901-347-8331 - Fax: 901-347-8188
Laparoscopy090107
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
LAPAROSCOPY
HYSTEROSCOPY / D&C
After surgery your concentration and energy
levels will be low due to the surgery and
anesthesia. For the first 48 hours, do not
make decisions, drive a car, use electrical
appliances or participate in activities that
require concentration or energy. If you have
stairs to go up, do so when you are rested.
You can usually resume light to moderate
activities in one to three days. Major
activities and heavy lifting can be resumed
two to five days after surgery. You can
usually return to work by two to five days.
You may be sore and have less energy than
normal for three to ten weeks.
You can usually start having sex after your
post-op visit.
Call the office with:
Vaginal bleeding heavier than a
menstrual flow,
Temperature over 100 degrees for more
than four hours,
Cramping abdominal pain more than a
menstrual period,
Nausea with vomiting, or
Any questions you have.
LAPAROSCOPY
Expect abdominal swelling for two to six
weeks. You may notice a knot in the area of
the incision. This is the absorbable stitch
before it has had time to dissolve. The
incision may be tender for one to four
weeks. You may have spotting or bleeding
for 10 days.
You may have shoulder pain particularly in
the right shoulder. This pain is related to
irritation from surgery and from the gas that
remains after surgery. This may get better if
you lay on your right side to move the gas to
the left. A salt water solution is left in the
abdomen to push out the gas; this may leak
out of the incision and may have a small
amount of blood.
You may experience vaginal drainage of a
blue dye if it was used to check the tubes.
You can start on regular diet today / ______.
Your bandaids can be taken off tomorrow.
The steristrips should stay on for five days.
You can bath or shower with the Steristrips.
HYSTEROSCOPY AND/OR D&C
(DILATATION AND CURETTAGE)
A small amount of bleeding is common for
several days. Do not have intercourse until
after the bleeding has stopped. Call if this is
heavier than a menstrual period or lasts more
than 10 days.
HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM (X-RAY)
After a hysterosalpingogram, you may
experience vaginal drainage of the dye.
MEDICATION
Pain medication, gas medication, and other
medications should be taken as prescribed.
Use Aleve 220 mg or Motrin 600 mg every
6 hours to help with swelling and pain.
Other medication may be used for problems
such as bladder infection, etc.
If you are on other medication, please ask
Dr. Martin when to restart these.
APPOINTMENT
Please call 347-8331 to set up a follow-up
appointment to see Dr. Martin in 4 weeks.
EMERGENCIES
The office or answering service is 347-8331
If you have questions, please be sure to ask.
Dan C. Martin, M.D. UT Medical Group, Inc. 7945 Wolf River Boulevard, Suite 320 Germantown, TN 38138
Phone: 901-347-8331 - Fax: 901-347-8188