Health Information
Surgery for Chronic Pelvic Pain
Why It Is Done
Laparotomy is a likely treatment for moderate to severe Reference chronic female pelvic pain Opens New Window when:
- Sites of endometriosis (implants) and scar
tissue (adhesions):
- Cannot be removed by laparoscopy.
- Are interfering with the normal function of other abdominal organs, such as the bowels or bladder.
- A large Reference ovarian cyst Opens New Window is present and scar tissue has formed around the cyst and a Reference fallopian tube Opens New Window.
- There is concern that an ovarian cyst might mean the presence of ovarian cancer.
A laparotomy is usually required to remove:
- Sites of endometriosis (implants) and scar
tissue (adhesions) that:
- Bind one segment of bowel to another segment or to other structures in the pelvis.
- Have penetrated deeply into an abdominal organ and cannot be safely removed by laparoscopy.
- Large sites of scar tissue (adhesions).
- Nerves, for pain control (presacral neurectomy).
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: October 30, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|
© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
