Forsyth Medical Center 
For All Women
Endometriosis
| Surgical treatment of endometriosis is an option for women whose symptoms recur after initial treatment with hormones. |
 |
||
|
Treatments for Endometriosis
 |
|
|
||
Treatment for endometriosis can be either medical or surgical. Various oral and injectable hormones are available to help slow the growth of endometriosis. Although significant improvement results from initial treatment in some patients, others have recurring symptoms and persistent disease. Recent studies demonstrate that endometriosis can be managed equally well with laparoscopic removal.
|
|
 |
Do you have questions about endometriosis? Visit our Health Library for answers. |
|
|
Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope, which is inserted through a small incision at the belly button. The laparoscope is connected to a tiny video camera that projects a view of the operative site onto video monitors located in the operating room. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to allow your surgeon a better view of the operative area. Two or three additional small incisions are made near the laparoscope through which the surgeon inserts specialized surgical instruments. The surgeon uses these instruments to remove the endometriosis and scarred tissue around it, while preserving the uterus, tubes and ovaries. Following the procedure, the small incisions are closed with sutures and covered with surgical tape. After a few months, they are barely visible.
In some cases, hysterectomy is recommended.
