Health Information
Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis
Why It Is Done
Laparoscopy is used to examine the pelvic organs and to remove implants and scar tissue. This procedure is typically used for checking and treating:
- Severe endometriosis and scar tissue that is thought to be interfering with internal organs, such as the bowel or bladder.
- Endometriosis pain that has continued or returned after hormone therapy.
- Severe endometriosis pain (some women and their doctors choose to skip medicine treatment).
- An endometriosis cyst on an ovary (endometrioma).
- Endometriosis as a possible cause of infertility. The surgeon usually removes any visible implants and scar tissue. This may improve fertility.
When laparoscopy may not be needed
Directly viewing the pelvic organs is the only way to confirm whether you have endometriosis. But this is not always needed. For suspected endometriosis, hormone therapy is often prescribed.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: July 7, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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