What is the Difference Between Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy

The key difference between hysteroscopy and laparoscopy is that hysteroscopy uses a hysteroscope that is inserted through the cervix canal, while laparoscopy uses multiple instruments that are inserted from the naval or abdominal area.

Techniques to identify reproductive disorders, especially diseases associated with women, are important both as diagnostic techniques and as operative techniques. Both hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are techniques that aid diagnosis and perform corrective measures to resolve abnormalities related to the areas of the uterus, fallopian tube, vaginal areas, and abdominal cavity in females.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hysteroscopy 
3. What is Laparoscopy
4. Similarities –  Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy
5. Hysteroscopy vs Laparoscopy in Tabular Form
6. Summary –  Hysteroscopy vs Laparoscopy

What is Hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy is a technique that can be used in diagnostics for various reproductive conditions in women. It is primarily helpful in diagnosing abnormal uterine conditions and uterine activity. It also helps to assess women with infertility and miscarriages. The technique of hysteroscopy is performed by slightly stretching the cervix canal. The hysteroscope is inserted into the uterus through this opening. While inserting the hysteroscope, carbon dioxide and saline are also injected simultaneously. This helps to expand the cervix canal, making it easier for the hysteroscope to enter. This process will allow the physician to view internal areas more clearly.

Operative hysteroscopy is performed as a corrective action to correct abnormalities identified during diagnostic hysteroscopy. Small fibroids, cysts, scar tissues, and polyps found in the uterus are corrected using this method. However, hysteroscopy may sometimes result in excessive bleeding, damage to nearby organs, allergic reactions, fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, or hormonal imbalances.

What is Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is a visual technique used to analyze reproductive abnormalities in women. These include observing and assessing fibroids, cysts, scar tissue, and pregnancy abnormalities. The process involves placing a telescope apparatus through the navel. Simultaneously, the abdomen is filled with carbon dioxide gas and saline. This expands the abdomen area, allowing better visual ease during observation. When observing through this technique, the physician could observe the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Another small probe is inserted through the lower abdomen in order to get a clear view. Along with the probe in operative laparoscopy, some additional instruments such as forceps, laser instruments, and grasping instruments may be used.

Most damages and inborn errors can be repaired by this technique. This technique is also appropriate to remove endometriosis. Laparoscopy can sometimes cause blood-filled bruising, pelvic and abdominal infections, damage to the bowel, uterus, and ureters, and allergic reactions.

What are the Similarities Between Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy?

• Hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are diagnostic tools.
• Both techniques can also be used as operative techniques.
• They are important in the diagnosis of reproductive abnormalities and disorders.
• Both techniques are aided by carbon dioxide and saline.
• Moreover, in females, both techniques are used just after the menstrual cycle.
• They result in allergies, blood loss, and hormonal imbalances.
• Both techniques help to diagnose fibroids, cysts, and abnormalities in the uterus.
• These techniques may trigger immune responses.

What is the Difference Between Hysteroscopy and Laparoscopy?

Hysteroscopy involves a single instrument insertion through the cervix canal, while laparoscopy involves inserting multiple instruments from the navel area or the abdominal cavity. Thus, this is the key difference between hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. Moreover, hysteroscopy does not require any insertions by bruising. In contrast, in laparoscopy, multiple insertions are made by damaging different insertion sites such as the navel, lower abdomen.

The below infographic presents the differences between hysteroscopy and laparoscopy in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Hysteroscopy vs Laparoscopy

Hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are two common techniques used in the diagnosis of reproductive abnormalities in the uterus and in the abdominal cavity. These techniques help to identify cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, and miscarriages. The key difference between hysteroscopy and laparoscopy is based on the complexity of the technique. Hysteroscopy uses a simple insertion technique using a hysteroscope via the cervix canal. Laparoscopy uses multiple instruments such as a telescope, laser equipment, and forceps to perform more complex analyses. Thus, this summarizes the difference between hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.

Reference:

1. Vitale SG;Ludwin A;Vilos GA;Török P;Tesarik J;Vitagliano A;Lasmar RB;Chiofalo B; “From Hysteroscopy to Laparoendoscopic Surgery: What Is the Best Surgical Approach for Symptomatic Isthmocele? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. “Laparoscopy.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hysteroscopy” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Blausen 0602 Laparoscopy 02” By Blausen.com staff (2014). “Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia