Laparoscopy, also known as diagnostic laparoscopy, is a surgical diagnostic procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen. It’s a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions.
Laparoscopy is often used to identify and diagnose the source of pelvic or abdominal pain. It’s usually performed when non-invasive methods are unable to help with diagnosis.
In many cases, abdominal problems can also be diagnosed with imaging techniques such as:
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ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the body
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CT scan, which is a series of special X-rays that take cross-sectional images of the body
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MRI scan, which uses magnets and radio waves to produce images of the body
Laparoscopy is performed when these tests don’t provide enough information or insight for a diagnosis. The procedure may also be used to take a biopsy, or sample of tissue, from a particular organ in the abdomen.
Your doctor may recommend laparoscopy to examine the following organs:
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appendix
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gallbladder
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liver
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pancreas
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small intestine and large intestine (colon)
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spleen
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stomach
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pelvic or reproductive organs
By observing these areas with a laparoscope, your doctor can detect:
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an abdominal mass or tumor
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fluid in the abdominal cavity
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liver disease
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the effectiveness of certain treatments
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the degree to which a particular cancer has progressed