Diagnostic Laparoscopy- A Retrospective Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Diagnostic Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure, which gives a direct eye view of intra-abdominal organ and its pathology. Diagnostic Laparoscopy plays an important role in basic workup of infertility patients. Use of this diagnostic modality should be extended to the other indications, which provides excellent results making it easy for the correct and on time treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS We have done a retrospective study of 87 patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy during investigations for primary infertility, secondary infertility, dysmenorrhoea, vague abdominal pain, past history of pelvic infection and abnormality. The Diagnostic Laparoscopy was carried out post-menstrually on the follicular phase of menstrual cycle under general anaesthesia. RESULTS We found four cases of disseminated abdominal pelvic tuberculosis. One patient histopathology report came as Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST). Patient is put on imatinib therapy. One patient showed evidence of Accessory Cystic Uterine Mass (ACUM). Subsequently, we did laparotomy and all the cystic lesions were enucleated and the base was cauterised. CONCLUSION Approximately, two-third (67%) of cases had some form of tubo-ovarian pathology, which makes Laparoscopy an essential part of infertility workup. However, diagnostic laparoscopy has a significant role in patients with vague ultrasound findings. It would be advisable to perform Diagnostic Laparoscopy in selected cases of unexplained dysmenorrhoea. Wise and skilful use of Diagnostic Laparoscopy for innumerable indications in gynaecology practice aids the clinicians to arrive at the diagnosis at the earliest.