Thissur Gynaecology

Laparoscopy in infertility

Laparoscopy essentially means the visualization of the abdominal organs through a scope.

Laparoscope is a tubular instrument introduced into the abdomen through a 1cm opening near the umbilicus.

A CCD camera is attached to the outer end of the laparoscope.

The uterus, ovary and the rest of the pelvic and abdominal organs can be visualized through the scope and viewed on a television monitor. Instruments passed through two tiny 5mm holes lower down in the abdomen can rectify any defects in the visualized organs . . It is usually combined with hysteroscopy.

Hysteroscopy visualizes the interior of the uterus and any polyps or adhesions can be removed.

Indications in the infertile woman: Laparoscopy as a primary modality for diagnosis of the infertile woman is no more practiced. Laparoscopy may be resorted to in the following situations

1. In women who fail to ovulate because of a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome, if oral medications fail to achieve ovulation, laparoscopic drilling of the ovaries may be done. In polycystic ovaries, the ovaries are fully of tiny follicles with fluid in it. A few of these fluid filled follicles are punctured using an instrument introduced through the laparoscope. This causes reduced levels of hormones called androgens and subsequently there is restoration of normal ovulation.

2. If a woman fails to conceive inspite of medical treatment, it may be prudent to check and see if the fallopian tubes are patent. This can be achieved by injecting fluid into the uterus through a cannula introduced through the vagina. The fluid traverses the uterus , the fallopian tubes and then comes into the abdomen through the opening of the tubes called the fimbrial end. The fimbrial ends are visualized on the laparoscopy monitor . Any blocks near the fimbrial end or any adhesions near any part of the tube can be removed through laparoscopic instruments. If there is a block near the uterie end of the tube it can be rectified through hysteroscopic cannulation.

3. In some women, there may be severe abdominal cramps near the time of menstrual periods. This could be due to a disease called endometriosis. On examination of the vagina, the doctor may find some nodularities in the vagina. Endometriosis could cause infertility in many ways and the best way to correct it is through the laparoscope. Laparoscopic correction of endometriosis yields very high pregnancy rates.

4. Adhesions between the uterus and ovaries could cause infertility and these could be corrected through the laparoscope

What it involves for the patient: The procedure is usually done under General anaesthesia. The patient’s basic blood investigations are done and she is given a laxative the previous night. Patients staying in the same district as the hospital are admitted on the same day of the surgery. The patient has to be nil by mouth on the day of the procedure.

After the procedure she is kept in the recovery room for about 3-4 hours and then taken to her room. Usually the patient is discharged on the next day.