Diagnostic Laparoscopy is generally performed under general anesthesia but can also be performed under local anesthesia in certain cases. The surgeon and anesthetist will discuss with you the type of anesthesia will be safer and more comfortable for you. Local anesthesia is usually injected into the affected organ. For, e.g., if it is an abdominal condition, local anesthesia will be given into the skin of the abdominal wall. The drug will numb the entire region to enable painless incision and safe insertion of the laparoscope. Patients just feel a ‘bee sting’ before small doses of sedatives are administered intravenously. This puts the patient into what is referred to as ‘twilight sleep’, a state in which they are asleep but not in deep slumber.

Once the patient falls into the required depth of sleep, gas is released into the abdominal cavity to enlarge it in order for the surgeon to get a better view of the internal proceedings. The common gases are a nitrous oxide or laughing gas or carbon dioxide. There is little risk of ill-effects of the gas, which is removed from the abdomen after the operation.

Diagnostic laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia if the patient is ineligible for surgery under ‘twilight sleep’ or for those who opt for it. General anesthesia is usually preferable for patients who are young, those who are unable to lie still or are afflicted with a medical condition, which makes general anesthesia a safer option.

Consult your Doctor Immediately If: 

Your condition reaches any of the following:

• Fever above 101 degrees F (39 C)
• Drainage from or redness any of your incisions
• Continued nausea or vomiting
• Increasing abdominal swelling
• Bleeding
• Chills
• Persistent cough or shortness of breath
• Inability to urinate
• Pain not controlled by medication