Endometriosis Resection
When a patient has symptoms that may be consistent with endometriosis. This may be a first procedure or a secondary procedure if symptoms recur.
Overview
What is endometriosis resection?
This entails keyhole surgery (5-10mm incision at the belly button, and 2-3 other 5mm incisions).
A camera is placed through the belly button to view the pelvis.
A device is placed on the cervix to manipulate the uterus.
The abdomen and pelvis are carefully explored, and abnormal tissue removed (excised).
Cysts (endometrioma) may be removed from the ovaries.
When & why
When is endometriosis resection performed?
When a patient has symptoms that may be consistent with endometriosis. This may be a first procedure or a secondary procedure if symptoms recur.
How
How is it the procedure performed?
Anaesthetic: the procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, meaning the patient is asleep.
Duration of the operation: this depends on the extent of disease. Mild to moderate causes may take 45 to 90 minutes. Severe cases may take 2-4 hours.
Recovery
What should I expect after endometriosis resection?
When you wake up: you will have an IV line in the arm or hand. A bladder catheter may also be present. The anaesthetist will have a management plan in place for the pain to ensure you are comfortable.
Nights in hospital: most cases require a single night in hospital. Some patients will go home the same day (if the mild disease is found).
Time off work: 1-2 weeks, depending on the extent of surgery required.
When back to normal functioning: exercise when you feel able, generally 1-2 weeks. You can have sex again when you feel able to, generally 1-2 weeks.
Follow up
What happens afterwards?
This will occur 6-12 weeks after the initial operation.
If any issues occur when discharged home, patients can contact the Wakefield Specialist centre directly.
Our providers will be on call to assist when necessary.
Further reading
Related symptoms
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Commonly caused by hormone therapies, including oral contraceptives. Persistent bleeding may be due to genital tract infections, polyps, or cervical cancer.
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High volume, long-lasting periods with flooding, clotting or anaemia. Causes can include fibroids, polyps, hyperplasia, PCOS, infection, or endometriosis.
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Women may have problems with tubal blockage, endometriosis, ovulation, egg numbers or quality. Men may have issues with sperm quantity or quality.
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Causes include endometriosis, infection, instability of the lining of the womb, ovarian cysts, perimenopause, PCOS, polyps, and early pregnancy.
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Causes include constipation, anal fissures, IBS and severe endometriosis. Extremely painful periods and pain with deep intercourse may also occur.
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Pain, discomfort or cramps around the time of menstruation. Can be due to prostaglandin production, or caused by endometriosis or adenomyosis.
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Defined as pelvic pain lasting more than 6 months. Causes can include ovarian cysts and urinary tract infections, but can be elusive and hard to diagnose.
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Periods that last more than 7 days. Causes include fibroids, polyps, hyperplasia or cancer of the uterus, PCOS, genital tract infection, and endometriosis.
Related conditions
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When endometrial tissue, which should only be found in the uterus, also grows outside the uterus, causing severe pain.