Diagnostic laparoscopy for liver defect

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Thursday, 29 January 2009 17:36

What is a diagnostic laparoscopy for liver defect? A laparoscopy for a liver defect is a procedure in which your health care provider uses a laparoscope (a slim, lighted tube) to look at your liver. When is it used? If you had a liver scan that showed an unexplained defect (a spot on the smooth surface of the liver), your health care provider may want to look more closely at your liver. Alternatives to this procedure include: * trying other procedures, such as open abdominal surgery (using a larger incision that the surgeon can work through) * having an ultrasound, which is a scan with high-frequency sound waves * having a CT scan of the abdomen with or without a needle biopsy (removal of liver tissue for tests) * choosing not to have the procedure, recognizing the risks of not knowing your condition. You should ask your provider about these choices. How do I prepare for a laparoscopy? Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. Allow for time to rest and try to find people to help you with your day-to-day duties. Follow your provider's instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers heal more slowly after surgery. They are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery. For this reason, if you are a smoker, you should quit at least 2 weeks before the procedure. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery. Also, your wounds will heal much better if you do not smoke after the surgery. Follow any other instructions your provider may give you. Eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight and the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water. What happens during the procedure? A general anesthetic is given, which relaxes your muscles, puts you to sleep, and prevents you from feeling pain. Your peritoneal cavity is inflated with carbon dioxide gas. This expands your peritoneal cavity like a balloon and helps your health care provider see your organs. Your provider makes a small cut (incision) near your bellybutton, puts a laparoscope through the cut, and puts another tool through a second small cut in the abdomen. Your provider looks at your liver with the laparoscope. Your provider may remove a small piece of tissue (biopsy) for lab tests. Then your provider removes the scope and the tool and sews up the cuts in the abdominal wall and bellybutton area. What happens after the procedure? You may stay in the hospital several hours or overnight. The anesthetic may cause sleepiness or grogginess for a while. You may have some shoulder pain, feel bloated, or notice a change in bowel habits for a few days. You may not be able to urinate right away and may have a catheter (a small tube) placed into your bladder through the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside). You should ask your health care provider about activities and when you should come back for a checkup. What are the benefits of this procedure? This surgical procedure may help your health care provider make a more accurate diagnosis. What are the risks associated with this procedure? * There are some risks when you have general anesthesia. Discuss these risks with your health care provider. * The abdominal organs, glands, intestines, or blood vessels may be damaged. You may need abdominal surgery to repair them at the time of the laparoscopy. * The abdominal cavity may become inflamed. * You may develop an infection or bleeding. * You may have some pain after the procedure. You should ask your provider how these risks apply to you. When should I call my health care provider? Call your provider right away if: * You develop a fever over 100°F (37.8°C). * You develop redness, swelling, pain, or drainage from the incisions. * You become dizzy and faint. * You develop nausea and vomiting. * You become short of breath. * You have abdominal pain or swelling that gets worse.

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 February 2009 16:53