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Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a minor, relatively safe procedure performed under anaesthesia
in a hospital.
It has been shown clearly in numerous studies that laparoscopic surgery is the
best way to treat endometriosis.
Laparoscopic Surgery benefits are:
- Higher cure rates
- Small incisions with less pain and scarring
- Less time off work
- Most can be performed as “day case surgery”
Laparoscopic surgery allows a skilled surgeon to carefully check all of the
pelvic organs for any sign of disease and to gently remove it.
All Gynaecologists perform laparoscopy, but not all are trained to diagnose
and treat all types of endometriosis by laparoscopy.
During laparoscopic surgery, tissues are handled gently and drying of the
delicate lining of the pelvis is prevented.
Advanced video systems allow a magnified, close up view of pelvic organs.
In this way, the amount of scarring caused is kept to a minimum and
surgery is performed more precisely than with open techniques.
Many Gynaecologists believe it is impossible to remove endometriosis
containing cysts from the ovary, and that where these cysts occur,
it is best to remove the ovary involved.
Clinicians at the Ballarat endometriosis clinic strongly disagree with this.
We believe that it is almost always possible to remove cysts and preserve the
ovary.
Laparoscopic surgery for severe endometriosis may take several hours.
In some cases it may be necessary to undertake a second operation after drug
treatment to reduce the size and activity of the endometriosis.
Open surgery
Occasionally, with the most severe cases of endometriosis, it is necessary
to perform open surgery which may involve hysterectomy, removal of an ovary,
or perhaps removal of part of the lower bowel.
The vast majority of surgery undertaken at the Ballarat Endometriosis Clinic
is performed by the laparoscopic approach.
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