Laparoscopic Surgery and Endometriosis

Laparoscopic Surgery and Endometriosis 

Laparoscopic Surgery and Endometriosis

Endometriosis is one of the causes of infertility in most women.  They have caused pain and inability to function.   That’s why most women undergo surgery as a form of treatment.

Endometriosis Signs and Symptoms

Endometriosis is a problem concerning the woman’s uterus.  The endometrium is the place in the uterus that holds the baby during pregnancy.  In the case of endometriosis, the growth of the endometrial wall does not occur inside the uterus, but they proliferate in other parts of the reproductive system. They can grow in the bowels, fallopian tube or even in the ovaries.  They can cause grave pain to a woman.  The most common sign of endometriosis is severe dysmenorrhea.   Others experience heavy menstrual flow.  Some women are asymptomatic, and the only way to determine the problem is when they cannot get pregnant.  That’s why women with endometriosis undergo surgery as a form of treatment.

Treating Endometriosis with Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a procedure used to diagnose and treat endometriosis.  This procedure is performed by making small holes in the abdomen and inserting a tube with a small implanted camera called the laparoscope.  Before undergoing the procedure, the patient must not eat or drink for 8 hours.  During the procedure, the patient is in general anesthesia, then the surgeon will inflate the abdomen with gas, preferably carbon dioxide which is injected through a needle.  This facilitates a better viewing of the internal organs.  If surgery will commence, the surgeon will also create additional incisions to insert additional instruments to excise any endometrial cysts in the bowel, bladder or ovaries.  Usually, the procedure will only take 30 to 45 minutes, and the patient can go home in just one day.  After the surgery, the patient can go back to her normal activities in 1 week.   Laparoscopy can immediately bring pain relief as compared to hormonal therapy.  There is 75 to 85 percent chance that pain is relieved.

This procedure is safe and effective, but complications can happen.  Women after laparoscopic surgery should be aware of the following signs of complications.  There can be an occurrence of pelvic infection which is manifested by fever, swelling and foul-smelling discharge, internal hemorrhage which may require laparotomy, formation of scar tissues and damage to the bladder, ureters or the bowels.

Follow-up checkup is essential after surgery.  A post-operative patient should visit her physician after a month.  The physician will assess if there is any chance of getting pregnant or if other treatment are needed to improve the woman’s condition.