Laparoscopy

With general anesthesia, you will feel no pain during the procedure. However, the stitched cuts may throb and be slightly painful afterward.Your doctor may give you apain reliever.

With local anesthesia, you may feel a prick and a burning sensation when the anesthetic is given. Pain may occur at theoperation site. Afterward, thestitched cutsmay throb and be slightly painful. A pain reliever will begiven by your doctor.

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You may experience shoulder pain for a few days,because the gas can irritate the diaphragm, the large muscle at the top of the belly. Some of the nerves in the diaphragm also go to the shoulder.

Finally, you may experience an increased urge to urinate,because the gas can put pressure on the bladder.

You will not be able to drink liquids or eat solid foods until your doctor tells you it is safe to do so.

Why the test is performed:

Laparocopic operations are performed for the same reasons that open (laparotomy) procedures are performed.

References:

Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL,Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 17th ed. St. Louis, MO: WB Saunders; 2004:445-464.