What are the indications for gynaecological laparoscopy?

Diagnostic: assessing chronic pelvic pain, subfertility (tubal patency with dye), suspected endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, and pelvic masses.

Operative: ovarian cystectomy, ectopic pregnancy surgery (salpingectomy/salpingostomy), treatment of endometriosis and adhesions, tubal sterilisation, myomectomy, and hysterectomy.

Clinical relevance. Knowing the diagnostic and operative indications frames when laparoscopy is the appropriate gynaecological approach.

More Detail

Indications for gynaecological laparoscopy

Laparoscopy serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Diagnostic indications

• Chronic pelvic pain of uncertain cause.
• Subfertility - laparoscopy and dye to assess tubal patency and the pelvis.
• Suspected endometriosis (laparoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis).
• Suspected ectopic pregnancy.
• Assessment of pelvic/adnexal masses.

Operative indications

• Ovarian cystectomy / oophorectomy.
• Ectopic pregnancy - salpingectomy or salpingostomy.
• Treatment of endometriosis and division of adhesions.
• Tubal sterilisation.
• Myomectomy and laparoscopic/total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Note

• The choice of laparoscopic vs open surgery depends on the pathology, surgeon expertise, and patient factors.