sex, lies, and uterine fibroids

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..........Diagnostics..........

Exam

Bloodwork

Ultrasound

Magnetic Resolution Imaging

Hysteroscopy

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy uses a slender instrument (the laparoscope) to help the doctor see inside the abdomen.

The laparoscopy is inserted through a small cut just below or through the navel. The doctor can see fibroids on the outside of the uterus as well as those that distort the shape of the body of the uterus. In addition, the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and surrounding pelvic region can all be visualized.

Laparoscopy is considered an outpatient surgical procedure and is done under regional or general anesthesia. Because of this, it is rarely used in the diagnosis of uterine fibroids. If a woman is experiencing a tremendous amount of pain that may be indicative of endometriosis, laparoscopy is used to establish a definitive diagnosis. This can be important because treatment options available to you for your uterine fibroids are impacted by the presence of endometriosis.

Link	Site Name/Author	What You'll Find
iregt1.iai.fzk.de/ TRAINER/mic_trainer1.html	Dr. Uwe G. Kühnapfel Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH Institut für Angewandte Informatik	The 'Karlsruhe Endoscopic Surgery Trainer.' A 'Virtual Reality` based Training System for Minimally Invasive Surgery.
www.aagl.com/acge.asp/	Accreditation Council for Gynecologic Endoscopy (ACGE)	Information on physicians accredited in endoscopic procedures.
www.aagl.com	American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (ACGE)	Professional site of ACGE. Includes a physician locator.
www.sls.org/	Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons	The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS) was established to help ensure the highest standards for the practice of laparoscopic, endoscopic, and minimally invasive surgery.
www.sls.org/patientinfo/ aboutlap.html	Marelyn Medina, MD Mission Hospital (Edinburg, Texas)	Patient Information: About laparoscopy and endoscopy.
www.universityobgyn.com/ laparosc.htm	Dr. Richard Boesel University Ob/Gyn Associates 1997	What is a diagnostic laparoscopy?
www.ivf.com/laprscpy.html	Atlanta Reproductive Health Center WWW	Laparoscopy: What can you expect?
www.laparoscopy.com	laparoscopy.com	Mega website for doctors performing laparoscopy.
www.advancedfertility.com/ myomfoto.htm	Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago	Laparoscopic images of fibroids.
www.onna.org/information/ invasive.html#lap	The ONNA Community	WWW.ONNA.ORG is an online community of people who want to have children, and who are finding it more difficult than they originally expected. This link takes you to an explanation of laparoscopy as well as patient stories from undergoing laparoscopic procedures.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/ query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db= PubMed&list_uids= 10389725&dopt=Abstract	Medline abstract.	Abstract: Major Complications of Laparoscopy: A Follow-up Finnish Study Härkki-Siren P, Sjöberg J, Kurki T Obstet Gynecol 94(1):94-98, July 1999 Paper is a must read for those considering laparoscopy -- my guess is that most gyns will NOT share this level of information with a patient.
www.womenssurgerygroup.com/ treatments/laparoscopic.asp	Women's Surgery Group	Detailed explanation of laparoscopy.