Life Healthcare is a leading private hospital operator in South Africa and primarily serves the market for privately insured individuals, representing approximately eight million people. The group provides mainly acute care, high technology private hospital services.
Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital is a large Provincial government funded hospital situated in central Mthatha in South Africa. It is a tertiary teaching hospital and forms part of the Mthatha Hospital Complex.
The extensive hospital network includes 64 hospitals (of which 57 are majority owned by Life Healthcare and another seven in which the group holds substantial minority ownership), providing a range of healthcare services throughout South Africa.
What is Diagnostic Laparoscopy?
Diagnostic laparoscopy is a surgical procedure in which the patient’s abdomen and pelvis can be viewed and examined.
During a diagnostic laparoscopy, the cause of abdominal and pelvic pain is diagnosed. Medical ailments and conditions such as appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, cholecystitis etc. are detected during a diagnostic laparoscopy. It is most often used in the examination of female reproductive organs.
Diagnostic laparoscopy is performed when diagnostic examinations using ultrasound or X-ray are unable to diagnose an ailment or medical condition.
How is Diagnostic Laparoscopy Performed?
A small incision is made in the patient’s abdomen below the navel.
A needle is inserted into the incision area and gas is passed into the abdominal cavity to create space in the abdomen for a better view and workspace for the surgeon.
Then a laparoscope, which is an endoscopic tube with a tiny camera attached to it, is inserted through the incision.
Using the laparoscope, the patient’s abdomen and pelvic regions can be viewed.
Additional incisions may also be made to insert surgical tools if required.
In a diagnostic laparoscopy in relation to gynecology, the surgeon may use some dye which is injected into the cervix that enables a better view of the fallopian tubes.
Once the diagnostic laparoscopy is completed, the laparoscope and other instruments are removed and the incisions are closed and covered with bandages.
How to Prepare for Diagnostic Laparoscopy?
The patient should abstain from smoking a few days before the surgery.
The patient should wear comfortable clothing and footwear on the day of the surgery to prevent a fall or injury due to drowsiness caused by anesthesia.
The patient’s clothing should be loose fitting as the patient is likely to experience abdominal cramping.
The patient should remove jewelry and other accessories before the surgery.
About Diagnostic Laparoscopy
Key facts to plan your treatment: how long it takes, your hospital stay, anaesthesia, risks and recovery.
Days admitted
None. Diagnostic laparoscopy is usually done as an outpatient procedure and the patient can go home a few hours after the surgery.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Recovery
- The patient is taken to the recovery room after the surgery. After a few hours of monitoring, the patient is moved to an outpatient surgery unit.
- Instructions will be given to the patient for recovery at home.
- Follow-up appointments with the doctor are scheduled before patient is discharged.
- The patient will not be able to drive for 24 hours after the surgery.
- Pain medication may be prescribed for surgical pain.
- The patient may have shoulder pain for a few days after the surgery.
- The patient’s urine may be green in color after the surgery.
Risks
Diagnostic laparoscopy involves certain complications and discomforts that include:
- Infection
- Organ puncture
- Bleeding
- Abdominal swelling
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramp and discomfort
After care
- The patient should not drink alcohol or drive for 24 hours after the surgery.
- The patient may take a bath after the surgery.
- Surgical bandages may be removed the next day after the surgery.
- The patient may be able to return to work three days after the surgery.
The doctor should be informed if the following symptoms occur:
- Fever
- Swelling and infection at the incision area
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- More abdominal swelling
- Bleeding
- Chills
- Severe coughing and breathing difficulty
- Urinating problem
- Pain not relieved by medication.
Hospital Group
Hospital Group
Private Hospital
Private Hospital