You are scheduled to undergo a laparoscopy. This pamphlet contains information about your stay at Gynækologisk Sengeafsnit 414  (gynaecological ward 414).

Date and location

Where: Gynækologisk Sengeafsnit 414, Center 4., 1. sengeetage 
(Gynaecological ward 414, Center 4, 1st floor).

Call the ward the day before your scheduled surgery to find out when you are expected at the ward: (+45) 38 62 31 91 between 14:00 - 15:00.

If you have signed up for NemSMS, you will receive a text 48 hours before you are scheduled to be admitted to hospital. The text will inform you of the date and time for your admission to hospital. Please disregard the time mentioned in the text.

Before surgery

Take a shower or bath in the morning as clean skin reduces the risk of infection. Remember to clean your navel. We recommend using a cotton bud/Q-tip. We examine your abdominal cavity through your navel, so it is important that it is clean.

Remove or closely trim your pubic hair 3-4 days before the operation. Do not shave using a razor as it can leave small cuts on your skin.

Leave watches and jewellery at home, this includes jewellery in any piercings you may have. Do not wearing nail polish, moisturiser and make-up on the day of your operation. If you use dentures, hearing aids or glasses, you can bring those with you.

It is a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothes and to bring a pair slippers. You are welcome to bring along some reading material or similar to help you pass the time.

You are allowed to bring your phone.

To reduce the risk of bleeding after the operation, avoid the following as much as possible in the three days prior to your operation: Aspirin, Hjertemagnyl, Idotyl, Kodimagnyl, Treo and fish oil.

Over-the-counter medicine

You will need medicine after you are discharged from hospital. You will also need to take pain-relieving medicine at home before your operation (see the checklist). We therefore recommend purchasing the medicine before being admitted to hospital.

You should buy:

• Paracetamol, 500 milligrams
• Ibuprofen, 200 milligrams
• Pantoprazole, 20 milligrams
• Magnesia, 500 milligrams

You will need to fast

All your muscles slacken once you are sedated. If the stomach is not empty, there is a risk that the stomach content will move up through your oesophagus and into your lungs. This can result in a serious case of pneumonia. It is therefore import that you observe the rules for fasting.

Fasting

• You must stop eating six hours before your operation. This includes chewing gum, hard candy and lozenges.
• You must stop drinking dairy products and juice with pulp six hours before the operation. Do not use milk in your coffee or tea.
• You must stop drinking cold or hot liquids two hours before the operation. We recommend having a large glass of cordial as the last thing you drink. The sugar in the cordial helps counteract nausea and malaise.
• You must stop smoking two hours before your operation as it can increase gastric acid.

If you do not observe these fasting rules, your operation will be cancelled.

On the day of the operation

Take pain-relieving medicine two hours before arriving at the hospital. If you are scheduled to be at the hospital at 06:45, you can take the pain-relieving medicine at 06:00 - see the checklist on the final page. You will be given patient clothing to wear once you arrive at the department. You will be given compression stockings to wear as well. You will also be given an injection of blood-thinners in the evening after your operation. The compression stockings and pain-relievers will reduce the risk of blood clots after the operation.

You are expected to walk down to the surgery ward yourself. If you have problems walking, you can ask for an orderly to transport you.

In the operating theatre

Once you arrive at the surgery ward, you will meet the surgical nurses, the anaesthesiologist and the anaesthesiological nurse who will sedate you, and the surgeon who will be performing the operation.

A small plastic tube will be inserted into a vein (peripheral venous catheter) to administer the anaesthetic and saltwater. Once you have been sedated, a urinary catheter will be inserted. The catheter will be removed after the operation.

The operation

The operation will take about an hour and will be carried out under general anaesthesia. The doctor will insert a thin tube (a laparoscope) through the navel and use two other surgical tools via incisions in your lower abdomen.

All three incisions are very small, approx. 0.5 cm wide. Air will be pumped into the stomach to make it easier for the surgeon to look around.

The surgeon will often make a final decision on what to do during the operation itself.

Once the operation is over, the incisions will be closed using dissolvable stitches. The stitches will dissolve and fall out within one to three weeks. The navel incision is usually not sutured.

Possible complications

As with all operations, there is a risk of complications both during and after the operation. The most common complications:

In very rare cases, the bladder, intestine or ureter can be damaged during the operation. Any damage will be sutured immediately. This can result in a longer stay at the hospital but only rarely results in permanent discomfort or injury.

There is also a small risk in connection with the general anaesthetic. If you feel anxious or worried about sedation, discuss this with the anaesthesiologist.

There is a risk of developing a bladder infection or pneumonia, or a risk of infection in the incisions. This will require a course of antibiotics.

After the operation

You will be transferred to a recovery room after surgery. Staff and technical equipment will monitor you the first few hours after the operation.

One person at a time can visit you in the recovery room. You will be transferred to the gynaecological ward a few hours later.

It is important to begin moving about soon after the operation. This helps prevent complications. The nursing staff will:

• make sure you are given food and drink soon after the operation.
• help you to sit on the edge of the bed or get out of the bed to take short walks around the ward.
• make sure you receive enough pain-relieving medicine to get out of bed.
• provide you with nausea medication, if necessary.
• If the bandages are not removed before you leave the hospital, we recommend removing them 24-48 hours after the operation.

Discharge

A doctor and nurse will speak to you before you are discharged from hospital. You will be given a pamphlet with information about the days following your operation.

You can expect to be discharged the same day as the operation or the day after.

Checklist – Before the operation

Date of surgery___________                

 Before your operation:

☐ Call the department at (+45) 38 62 31 92 the day before your operation between 14:00 -15:00 to find out what time you are expected at the hospital. If your operation is scheduled for a Monday, then call the department on the Friday before. If you have signed up for NemSMS, you will receive a text 48 hours before you are scheduled to be admitted to hospital. The text will inform you of the date and time for your admission to hospital. Please disregard the time mentioned in the text.

☐  Buy any over-the-counter medicine that you will need after discharge.

☐  Remove your pubic hair 3-4 days before the operation.

☐  Fast for 6 hours before arriving at the hospital + stop drinking fluids 2 hours before.

☐  Take pain-relieving medicine 2 hours before arriving at the hospital: 2 paracetamol (2 x 500 mg) and 2 ibuprofen (2 x 200 mg). However, if you have been asked to be at the hospital at 07:00, you can take the medicine at 06:00.

☐  Remember to bathe - no jewellery, make-up, nail polish, or body lotion.

☐  Clean your navel with a cotton bud/Q-tip.

What to bring with you to hospital:

☐  Any medication you are on.

☐  Dressing gown/loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.

☐  Toiletries.

☐  Reading material, computer or something else to help pass the time.

We encourage you to leave all your valuables at home. If you have any questions about your stay at the outpatient department or your operation, you can ask them when you call us to find out what time to arrive at the hospital.