Concierge gynaecology · London
Diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test, the gold-standard for endometriosis, adhesions and tubal patency.
A keyhole look inside the pelvis under general anaesthetic. It is the gold-standard for diagnosing endometriosis, scar tissue, and blocked fallopian tubes. A dye test flushes blue dye through the tubes to confirm they are open — a standard step in a fertility workup.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant gynaecologist with laparoscopic expertise — the surgeon who operates also interprets the findings.
- 02
Structured MDT care
Complex endometriosis or fertility cases are discussed within a multidisciplinary team — fertility, pain and colorectal input where needed.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
The essentials, in six lines.
What diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test is, how it is performed, and what it can and can’t answer.
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Definition
A day-case keyhole operation. The surgeon inspects the pelvis, and can flush dye through the fallopian tubes in the same sitting.
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Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia in theatre — you are asleep for the procedure.
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Direct visualisation
Direct visualisation and biopsy of the pelvic organs — the diagnostic gold-standard.
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Tubal patency
A dye test (methylene blue) confirms fallopian-tube patency for fertility workup.
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Same-operation treatment
Endometriosis can be excised or ablated at the same operation, avoiding a second procedure.
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Multidisciplinary care
Structured multidisciplinary care with gynaecology, fertility and pain-clinic input.
Preparation and journey
From consultation to discharge — what happens, in order.
One consultant gynaecologist from first assessment to operation note.
- 01
Before
Gynaecology consultation
A consultant gynaecologist assesses symptoms, imaging and fertility goals to confirm laparoscopy is the right next step.
- 02
Before
Pre-op assessment
Bloods, swabs and anaesthetic review — cardiovascular fitness and medication check before theatre.
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Before
Fast 6 hours pre-op
Nothing to eat for six hours before your slot; clear fluids allowed up to two hours before, per anaesthetic guidance.
- 04
On the day
GA in theatre
General anaesthesia is induced by a consultant anaesthetist — you are asleep throughout.
- 05
On the day
CO₂ insufflation and laparoscopy
A small umbilical port and 2–3 accessory ports allow CO₂ insufflation and telescopic inspection of the pelvis.
- 06
On the day
Methylene-blue dye through cervix
For fertility workup, dye is instilled through the cervix and its passage through the fallopian tubes observed.
- 07
On the day
Biopsy / excision as needed
Suspicious tissue is biopsied; endometriotic deposits are excised or ablated during the same operation.
- 08
After
Discharge same day
Most patients go home the same day with analgesia and a written operation note; follow-up arranged for histology and next steps.
What it shows
The diagnoses laparoscopy can confirm.
Direct visualisation and biopsy — the presentations where laparoscopy answers a question imaging cannot.
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Endometriosis (superficial, deep, ovarian)
Direct visualisation of superficial peritoneal, deep infiltrating and endometrioma disease — the diagnostic gold-standard.
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Pelvic adhesions
Bands of scar tissue distorting anatomy, often after infection, surgery or endometriosis.
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Hydrosalpinx
A fluid-filled, dilated fallopian tube — an important finding in subfertility.
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Fallopian tube patency (dye passage)
Confirms whether methylene-blue dye passes freely through each tube.
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Fibroids and adenomyosis
Visualises subserosal fibroids and gives operative correlation for suspected adenomyosis.
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Ovarian cysts
Characterises ovarian cysts and endometriomas, with the option to treat at the same operation.
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Pelvic infection sequelae
Perihepatic adhesions and tubal damage from previous pelvic inflammatory disease.
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Red flag: acute pelvic pain + free fluid — surgical emergency review
Sudden severe pelvic pain with free fluid needs urgent surgical assessment, not a private waiting list.
Treatment and next steps
What can be done — at the same operation, or after.
Diagnostic laparoscopy is often therapeutic — and where it isn’t, it points to the right onward pathway.
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Excision or ablation of endometriosis
Endometriotic deposits are excised or ablated at the same operation, reducing pain and preserving fertility.
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Adhesiolysis
Division of pelvic adhesions to restore anatomy and reduce chronic pain.
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Salpingectomy for hydrosalpinx
Removal of a damaged, fluid-filled fallopian tube — improves IVF success rates.
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Fertility referral
Onward referral to a reproductive-medicine consultant for structured fertility workup.
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Assisted conception (IVF)
IVF pathway for tubal factor infertility or where natural conception is unlikely.
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Hormonal management (GnRH analogues)
Medical suppression for endometriosis symptom control alongside or after surgery.
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Pain-clinic referral
Multidisciplinary chronic-pelvic-pain management where symptoms outlast operative findings.
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Multi-disciplinary team review
Complex cases discussed at MDT — gynaecology, fertility, colorectal and pain input as needed.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Consultant gynaecologists across central London with laparoscopic and BSGE-accredited endometriosis expertise.
Selection criteria
How we choose every consultant in our network.
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Consultant gynaecologists with subspecialty laparoscopic expertise
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BSGE-accredited endometriosis centres for complex disease
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Same-day discharge pathway with written operation note and photographs
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Onward fertility, pain-clinic and colorectal MDT pathways where indicated
Safety and recovery
A well-established day-case procedure.
Laparoscopy is routine, but it is still surgery under general anaesthesia — the practical points are consent, recovery and when to call for review.
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General anaesthesia
You are asleep throughout, cared for by a consultant anaesthetist.
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Small keyhole incisions
Typically one umbilical and 2–3 accessory ports of 5–10 mm — cosmetic scarring is minimal.
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Day-case procedure
Most patients go home the same day; occasional overnight stay for pain control or complex surgery.
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Shoulder-tip pain is normal
Residual CO₂ can irritate the diaphragm and cause referred shoulder-tip pain for 24–48 hours.
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Bowel or bladder injury (rare)
Recognised risk of laparoscopy — new fever, distension or peritonism after discharge needs urgent review.
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Vascular injury (rare)
Port-site injury is rare but serious; consented as part of standard practice.
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Dye test caveat
A negative dye test can occasionally be due to spasm rather than true blockage — interpretation is by the operating surgeon.
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Pregnancy status confirmed
A pregnancy test is performed on the day of surgery for all women of reproductive age.
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Recovery
Most patients return to desk-based work within a week; heavier duties in 2–3 weeks.
Red flags
When specialist review is essential.
Findings and situations that shift the pathway from routine day-case to structured multidisciplinary planning.
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Deep infiltrating endometriosis (bowel, bladder)
Disease extending into bowel or bladder needs specialist MDT surgical planning.
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Frozen pelvis
Dense adhesions obliterating anatomy — a red flag for complex operative planning.
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Ectopic pregnancy differential
Any woman of reproductive age with pelvic pain needs pregnancy status confirmed first.
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Post-op bowel injury
A recognised complication of laparoscopy — new fever, abdominal distension or peritonism after surgery needs urgent review.
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Post-op vascular injury
Port-site or intra-abdominal vascular injury is rare but serious — early recognition matters.
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Chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Symptoms out of proportion to operative findings warrant pain-clinic and psychological support.
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Failed conservative therapy
Persistent symptoms despite hormonal management justify a structured surgical opinion.
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Infertility with tubal disease
Confirmed tubal disease usually needs an assisted-conception pathway, not repeated laparoscopy.
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Recurrence post-surgery
Endometriosis can recur — repeat surgery is a specialist decision, weighed against medical and fertility options.
Reading your operation note
An operation note can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the note keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The note is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and history
Your details, the reason for laparoscopy, prior imaging and fertility goals that shape interpretation.
- 02 Technique
Ports, insufflation and dye
Number and site of ports, CO₂ insufflation pressure, and whether a methylene-blue dye test was performed.
- 03 Findings
Pelvic inspection, staging, tubal patency
Endometriosis staging (rASRM), adhesion pattern, tubal patency and any biopsy or excision performed.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Diagnosis, operative treatment carried out and the concrete next step — read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about diagnostic laparoscopy.
Quick answers on anaesthesia, recovery, risks, and when laparoscopy is the right test instead of imaging.
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What is a diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test?
A day-case keyhole operation, under general anaesthesia, in which a telescope is inserted through a small umbilical incision to inspect the pelvic organs directly. Methylene-blue dye is instilled through the cervix to confirm fallopian-tube patency for fertility workup.
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Why is it the gold-standard for endometriosis?
Endometriosis is definitively diagnosed by direct visualisation and biopsy — imaging can miss superficial or peritoneal disease. Laparoscopy allows the surgeon to see, stage and treat disease in the same operation.
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Is it done under general anaesthetic?
Yes. Laparoscopy is performed under general anaesthesia in a fully equipped operating theatre, with a consultant anaesthetist present throughout.
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How long is recovery?
Most patients are discharged the same day. Desk-based work is usually possible within a week; heavier duties in 2–3 weeks. Shoulder-tip pain from residual CO₂ typically settles in 24–48 hours.
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What are the risks?
The main risks are bowel, bladder or vascular injury (rare), infection, bleeding and anaesthetic risk. Your surgeon will consent you in detail before the operation.
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When would I need this instead of imaging?
Ultrasound and MRI are excellent for many diagnoses, but they can miss superficial endometriosis and cannot confirm tubal patency the way a dye test can. Laparoscopy is offered when imaging is inconclusive, when treatment is likely needed in the same sitting, or as part of a structured fertility workup.
Sources
Guidelines this page follows.
- RCOG. Green-top Guidelines — endometriosis and laparoscopic surgery.
- ESHRE. Endometriosis Guideline.
- NICE. Endometriosis: diagnosis and management (NG73).
- British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy.
Reviewed 2026-07-30 by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board, . Next review 2027-07-30. Estimated reading time 7 minutes.
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In practice, in London
Getting diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test sorted in London, without the guesswork
With diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. On the NHS, diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test typically sits behind a triage step and a wait that can stretch from a few weeks into months. In London’s private sector, the same appointment often lands within days. That speed matters when symptoms are disrupting work, sleep, or a plan you’d already committed to — and it’s the single most common reason people call us in the first place.
In practice, a private diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test appointment in London means a named consultant, a proper hour in the room (or the equivalent on a video call), and a report you can actually read. Most of the imaging suites and endoscopy units we use sit within a mile of Harley Street or in Chelsea and Fulham, and turnaround on findings is measured in days, not weeks. For diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
Fit matters more than people expect. For diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test, the right consultant depends on what you actually need — a second opinion, a definitive diagnosis, a bridge into treatment, or reassurance that nothing’s being missed. We match on that, not on who has the biggest brochure. If a test isn’t the right next step, we’ll say so before you book anything.