Laparoscopic endometriosis surgery and removal of the uterus, what's the difference?

1. Endometriosis surgery with laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is the most common procedure used to diagnose and treat endometriosis. Laparoscopy is performed by removing cysts or scar tissue in the stomach using heat or laser.

Laparoscopy is performed for several conditions, including when:

Hormone therapy cannot control the symptoms of endometriosis
There is scar tissue or cysts that grow and interfere with the function of other organs in the stomach
Endometriosis is thought to render women infertile

Laparoscopic procedures

Before undergoing a laparoscopy, you should not eat or drink for at least 8 hours before the operation. Most laparoscopies are outpatient procedures so you don't need to stay in the hospital first.

Laparoscopic procedures are performed using a long, thin tube with a camera at the end, or is known as a laparoscope. During a laparoscopy, the instrument is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision that is placed below the belly button.

When endometriosis or scarring is found, the doctor will then remove the tissue or apply heating (endometrial ablation) to destroy the tissue. After the operation is complete, the incision is closed with a few stitches.

Because the incisions are only small, the effect of the laparoscopy is not much painful, and some patients can even go home the same day after the operation. Although laparoscopic endometriosis surgery can help relieve symptoms, symptoms of endometriosis can recur at any time.

Side effects and risk of complications from laparoscopy

Just like surgery in general, laparoscopy can also cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, excess gas in the stomach, light vaginal bleeding, pain at the incision site, and an unstable mood.

You are advised to avoid a variety of strenuous activities after performing a laparoscopy, such as intense physical exercise, lifting heavy weights, and having sex. You are allowed to resume sexual intercourse after 2-4 weeks from surgery, but first consult with your doctor to ensure your physical readiness.

Laparoscopic surgery complications are rare. However, there are still possible complications such as bladder or uterine infections, bleeding, and bowel or bladder damage. Therefore, fill your nutritional and fluid intake while getting enough rest to speed up the recovery process. Don't forget to regularly check with your doctor to control the results of surgery.

2. Endometriosis surgery with removal of the uterus

Hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) are procedures that involve the removal of the reproductive organs in a woman to treat endometriosis. Because it involves removing the uterus, this procedure is only performed for women with endometriosis who have no plans to get pregnant again.

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a procedure that removes the uterus under general anesthesia. There are several types of hysterectomy that can be performed, including:

Total hysterectomy, including removal of the uterus and cervix.
Supracervical or partial hysterectomy, which involves removing the upper uterus but leaving the cervix in place.
Radical hysterectomy, which includes a total hysterectomy which also removes the structures around the uterus. This is usually done if there is a cancer development around the uterus.

Hysterectomy can be performed in various ways, namely through the vagina, stomach, or by laparoscopy, depending on the patient's condition.

Vaginal hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus which is done through the vagina. This procedure cannot be performed in women who have adhesions from previous operations or have a large uterus. Vaginal hysterectomy causes fewer complications and the healing time is relatively quicker than abdominal or laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Abdominal hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus which is done through an incision in the lower abdomen. As opposed to vaginal hysterectomy, abdominal hysterectomy may be performed on women who have adhesions or have a large uterus. However, the risk of complications is greater, which can lead to wound infection, bleeding, blood clots, and nerve and tissue damage. This is why the recovery period for abdominal hysterectomy tends to be longer than the other two hysterectomy procedures.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy It only takes a few small incisions, about four centimeters, in the abdomen to remove the uterus. Compared to the other two hysterectomy procedures, laparoscopic hysterectomy provides less pain and complications resulting in shorter recovery. You may be able to return to normal activities sooner.

However, be careful with the possible risk of complications that may occur, such as injury to the urinary tract and other organs. Therefore, do routine controls with your doctor to monitor the results of your surgery.

Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy is a procedure to remove the ovaries (ovaries) to treat endometriosis. When both ovaries are removed, the surgical procedure is called bilateral oophorectomy. Meanwhile, if only one of the ovaries is removed, this is called unilateral oophorectomy.

Oophorectomy can be done in two ways, namely abdominal surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Abdominal surgery is performed by making an incision in the abdomen and carefully separating the abdominal muscles, then removing the ovaries. Meanwhile, laparoscopic surgery requires the help of a laparoscope to see and remove the ovaries.

Oophorectomy can help reduce long-term pain from endometriosis. However, once the ovaries are removed, side effects can make low estrogen levels worse. This also increases the risk of osteoporosis when you start to enter menopause early. To work around this, you can consult a doctor to perform certain procedures to protect your bones.