Welcome to the Gynaecological Department

When you are admitted, you are most likely overwhelmed by a lot of thoughts, feelings and questions. With this information leaflet we wish to answer some of the questions you may have before the surgery. The staff will inform you about the treatment you are about to undergo and answer all your questions. Do not hesitate to ask.

Minimally invasive surgery only requires a short admission. A better nausea and pain treatment, early food consumption after the operation and quickly getting up on your feet again are vital for regaining your strength and energy.

What is ectopic pregnancy?

It is a pregnancy placed outside the normal placement in the uterine cavity. Suspicion of an ectopic may arise in several different ways. E.g. it has not been possible to detect the pregnancy within the uterus.

The pregnancy hormone is slightly increasing or unchanged, and through an ultrasound scan we might have come to suspect ectopic pregnancy – in most cases within one of the fallopian tubes.

The surgery

During the surgery you will be fully sedated. A small incision will be made in your navel along with two or three small incisions down your stomach, where the instruments are inserted.

During the surgery your stomach will be inflated so that your organs are visible.

If the pregnancy is within one of the fallopian tubes, we will during the surgery assess if it is possible to remove the pregnancy or if we need to remove the fallopian tube as well. Your physician will inform you further before the surgery.

In few patients it can be necessary to switch to a regular surgery through an incision on your stomach during the surgery. This can be caused by adhesions, bleeding or the like, which makes a minimally invasive surgery difficult to execute. The wounds will be closed with sutures, using absorbable thread.

If tissue is removed during surgery, it will be examined microscopically. The staff will arrange with you when and how you are informed of the results before you are discharged.

Can complications occur?

There is always a small risk of complications when performing surgery. Most of these are fortunately transient. Some patients experience temporary pain in their right shoulder after minimal invasive surgery. The pain is caused by remains of air that was used to inflate your stomach during surgery.

Few patients experience a slight rise in body temperature, accumulations of blood in the surgical wounds, bladder or pulmonary infections, need for a blood transfusion due to bleeding during or after surgery which makes it necessary to perform another surgery.

In very rare cases the surrounding tissue may be damaged during surgery.

After the surgery

You will be taken to a recovery room after surgery, where specially educated staff will take care of you and observe you the first couple of hours after surgery. You will come back to the department after 1-2 hours.

Will I experience pain and nausea?

After a minimally invasive surgery you will often experience less pains than after a regular surgery. We strive to ensure that you experience as less pain and nausea as possible. When you are not hurting or feeling nauseous, you will recover faster and begin to eat and drink again.

If you need more pain killers, please let us know. You will not get addicted to the medicine during the brief time you are in need of it.

When can I get up after the surgery?

We expect that you are able to sit up and walk a few hours after the surgery.

When can I eat and drink after the surgery?

You can eat and drink right after the surgery. You should drink at least 1½ litre on the day of the surgery to ensure a speedy recovery.

When can I be discharged?

You can be discharged the same evening or the next day. You will be informed by a physician after the surgery and you will both agree on your discharge.

The nurse will remove the dressing and check on your wounds. If you need it, we will continue to offer you pain killers. You will be informed on precautions and the use of pain killers.

If you need a notification of illness you will be given one when you are discharged. The notification of illness usually covers a week.

After the discharge

If the fallopian tube is preserved, we will keep an eye on the amount of pregnancy hormone in your blood to ensure that it decreases as it is supposed to. In the most cases it involves 1-3 blood tests one week apart.

How should I approach coming home?

You can expect a couple of days to go by before you regain your strength and your energy. Ordinary exercise such as walking, running and riding a bicycle is allowed immediately after the discharge.

There are no strict rules regarding what you may or may not lift after a minimally invasive surgery, but if you experience pain, you should be cautious and careful the first couple of days. You can swim and use bath tubs when your wounds are fully healed.

Will I bleed from my vagina?

The mucosa within your uterus has been thickened – even though the pregnancy was outside of the uterus. After the surgery the mucosa is therefore rejected from your body as during periods. It is completely normal to bleed 1-2 weeks after the surgery.

When can I resume my sexual life and try to become pregnant again?

We recommend that you wait until two weeks after the surgery before you have sex again, to avoid experiencing pain. You can try to become pregnant again after having your first period after the surgery.

What do I do, if problems or questions arise after the discharge?

You should seek out medical help, for example your general practitioner, if you experience increasing pain, fever or signs of infection of the surgical wound (redness, warmth, tenderness and swelling).

Immediately after the surgery you are more than welcome to contact the department, if any problems or questions arise. We are available around the clock.