Endometriosis surgery Laparoscopy hysterectomy and recovery
Endometriosis surgery Laparoscopy hysterectomy and recovery Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Endometriosis surgery Laparoscopy hysterectomy and recoveryMedically reviewed by Fernando Mariz, MD — By Tabitha Britt on April 21, 2022Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition in which endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus. The most common surgery types for this condition are laparoscopy, laparotomy, and hysterectomy. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 people of reproductive age worldwide (around 190 million people). Despite its prevalence, it can take anywhere between 4–11 years for a person to receive a diagnosis. Endometriosis is often painful. It can cause infertility, excessive bleeding, and pain with intercourse. There is currently no cure for endometriosis. However, doctors can treat the condition with hormonal and nonhormonal medications, as well as surgery. This article explores surgical treatment options for endometriosis, including laparoscopy, laparotomy, and hysterectomy, what to expect after surgery, and possible risks associated with each procedure. When is endometriosis surgery needed Share on PinterestBoris Zhitkov/Getty ImagesIf the pain caused by endometriosis is severe and medication is not working well to relieve it, a healthcare professional may recommend surgery. A healthcare professional may also recommend surgery if a person is experiencing infertility. There is currently no cure for endometriosis. However, surgery may help to remove or destroy areas of endometriosis tissue to ease symptoms and help fertility. Surgery is the only way to definitively confirm whether a person has endometriosis. However, a doctor may make a presumptive diagnosis based on a person’s medical history and symptoms. Although the most common surgery is laparoscopy, a surgeon may perform a diagnostic laparotomy depending on the person and their symptoms. Surgery types Surgical options for endometriosis include: Laparoscopy A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgery. A surgeon creates incisions in a person’s abdomen to insert a camera. The surgeon uses the camera to find endometrial tissue and remove it. There are several methods of removing endometrial tissue. These include:Excision: This technique is where a surgeon directly cuts out endometriosis tissue. Ablation: This technique involves a surgeon destroying endometriosis tissue using either a laser, heating, electricity, or freezing. Surgeons typically perform laparoscopic surgery as follows:The person receives general anesthesia.The surgeon makes two to four small incisions near the person’s belly button.After making incisions, the surgeon fills the person’s abdomen with carbon dioxide gas. This allows the surgeon to see the person’s internal organs. The surgeon then uses a laparoscope (a small camera) to examine the abdomen for scar tissue, endometriosis, and other abnormalities. The surgeon carefully removes the endometriosis tissue (including the tissue beneath the surface), leaving healthy organ tissues intact. After the procedure, the surgeon closes the incisions using either dissolvable stitches or glue. The incisions are then covered with bandages or other dressings to help prevent infection. The person should be able to go home on the same day as their surgery. The procedure could take 30–60 minutes or longer, depending on the person and the severity of their condition. Laparotomy If a surgeon suspects deeply infiltrative endometriosis (DIE), they may perform a laparotomy. Surgeons typically perform a laparotomy as follows:The person receives general anesthesia.The surgeon makes one large incision (rather than several small incisions) in the abdomen, typically below the bikini line. The incision can be as long as 15–20 centimeters. The surgeon removes the endometriosis tissue (or scar tissue) and closes the incision using special tools.Once the procedure is complete, the surgeon closes the muscles of the abdominal wall and the overlying skin using medical stitches. A laparotomy is considered major abdominal surgery, and the person may need to stay in the hospital overnight after it. Hysterectomy During a hysterectomy, a surgeon removes the person’s uterus. A hysterectomy is the most common form of definitive endometriosis surgery. A surgeon can do it abdominally, laparoscopically, or vaginally. The surgeon may also remove the person’s cervix, ovaries (oophorectomy), and fallopian tubes. Deciding to undergo a hysterectomy is a serious decision. People who choose to have this surgery will no longer be able to carry a pregnancy. People who undergo a vaginal or laparoscopic hysterectomy may be able to go home on the same day of their surgery. However, those who have an abdominal hysterectomy typically stay at the hospital overnight. While a hysterectomy may provide a person with temporary relief, it is not a cure for endometriosis. It is typically a last resort. Recovery Recovery times are different for everyone depending on the severity of the endometriosis and their chosen treatment method. Most people feel relief after endometriosis surgery. However, there is a chance that the pain will come back. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), up to 8 in 10 individuals experience pain and recurring symptoms within 2 years of surgery. People who have laparoscopic excision surgery tend to recover faster than those who have a laparotomy or hysterectomy. After laparoscopy, it is common to feel tired and uncomfortable for a few days following the procedure. The incision site will feel sore, and the person may have back or shoulder pain. These should go away within a few hours or days. Recovery from a laparotomy can take 6 weeks or longer in some cases. People who undergo a laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy may need 3–4 weeks to recover. It takes 6–8 weeks to fully recover from an abdominal hysterectomy. Risks and considerations All procedures come with risks. Potential risks of surgical treatment include: bleedinginfectionherniadamage to a blood vessel or other organs People should also be aware that there is a risk of continued pain from endometriosis even after surgery. People who experience one or more of the following symptoms after their operation should seek immediate medical attention: swelling, discoloration, or pus draining from the incision site heavy bleeding from the incision site or the vagina fainting severe pain inability to empty the bladderfever of 101°F (38°C) or higher When to speak with a doctor People should speak with their doctor if they are experiencing severe endometriosis symptoms that have not been resolved by medication or nonsurgical treatment. These symptoms include:very painful menstrual crampspain during or after sexpainful bowel movements (including blood in stools)intestinal paindigestive issues (diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea) People experiencing infertility due to endometriosis should also ask their doctor if surgical treatments are appropriate for them or if they will improve their chance of pregnancy. A healthcare professional will be able to assess a person’s condition and advise on the best course of treatment. Outlook Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition in which endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus. Although there is currently no current cure, surgery may help manage symptoms and improve fertility. While surgery may help to relieve pain, the ACOG estimates that endometriosis symptoms return in 40–80% of people after surgery. People with endometriosis should speak with their doctor if they are experiencing symptoms, such as severe pain, and medication is not offering relief. Last medically reviewed on April 21, 2022EndocrinologyEndometriosisSurgeryWomen's Health / Gynecology 16 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Agarwal, S. K., et al. (2019). Clinical diagnosis of endometriosis: A call to action.https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(19)30002-X/fulltextEndometrial ablation. (2022).https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/endometrial-ablationEndometriosis treatment and support. (n.d.).https://www.endofound.org/endometriosis-treatment-supportEndometriosis. (2019).https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosisEndometriosis. (2020).https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/endometriosisEndometriosis. (2021).https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/endometriosis?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=otnEndometriosis. (2021).https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosisHow it's performed: Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). (2018).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/laparoscopy/what-happens/Keckstein, J., et al. (2020). Recommendations for the surgical treatment of endometriosis. Part 2: deep endometriosis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7013143/Laparoscopy. (2021).https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/laparoscopyLaparotomy. (n.d.).https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/laparotomyMorassutto, C., et al. (2016). Incidence and estimated prevalence of endometriosis and adenomyosis in northeast Italy: A data linkage study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4839734/Recovery: Hysterectomy. (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysterectomy/recovery/Treatment: Endometriosis. (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/treatment/Women's health-laparotomy. (2020).http://brochures.mater.org.au/brochures/mater-mothers-hospital/women-s-health-laparotomyWood, R. (n.d.). Surgery.https://endometriosis.org/treatments/endometriosis-surgery/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Fernando Mariz, MD — By Tabitha Britt on April 21, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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