Endometriosis treatment through surgical excision possible?
Endometriosis, a chronic condition that affects females of reproductive age, can cause pain, heavy bleeding, and potential impact on fertility. While pharmacological treatment is an option, excision surgery may be considered for those where medication is not appropriate or ineffective.
Excision surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat endometriosis. It involves the removal of endometrial tissue that has grown outside the uterus and repairing damage to affected organs. This surgery offers the most durable and comprehensive long-term management of endometriosis compared to alternatives, with significant benefits in pain reduction and fertility preservation.
Recovery from excision surgery for severe endometriosis may take up to 4 weeks. It may also take a person up to 6 months to experience improvements in their endometriosis symptoms. Recovery times may be lower for moderate endometriosis. However, patients should be aware that excision surgery does not guarantee permanent resolution, and ongoing management including hormonal therapy and symptomatic care may be necessary.
While excision surgery is one treatment option for endometriosis, a person may require surgery and pharmacological treatment to treat their endometriosis effectively. Some surgical treatments, such as ablation of uterosacral nerves, electrocautery, laser treatment, presacral neurectomy, and hysterectomy, are alternatives to excision surgery.
A study found that 6 months post-excision surgery, there was a significant reduction in pelvic pain, low back pain, bladder pain, pain during sexual intercourse, bowel frequency, urgency, constipation, and passing blood. Another study showed that laparoscopic excision surgery showed significantly greater improvement in pelvic pain, painful periods, and difficulty passing stool compared to ablation surgery.
Endometriosis is a chronic, infiltrative inflammatory condition which can affect multiple organs and systems; excision improves symptoms but does not "cure" the underlying chronic nature. Hormonal and lifestyle therapies are important adjuncts to surgery for long-term management.
The cost of excision surgery depends on various factors, such as insurance coverage, the surgeon, severity of endometriosis, and other health conditions. It's crucial for individuals considering excision surgery to discuss the costs and potential benefits with their healthcare provider.
In summary, excision surgery offers significant long-term benefits for those suffering from endometriosis, with improvements in pain, fertility, and symptom recurrence compared to other surgical treatments. However, it's essential to understand that it does not guarantee permanent resolution, and ongoing management may be necessary. If you're experiencing symptoms of endometriosis, it's important to discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider.
References:
- Hammond, C. J., & Johnson, N. (2018). Endometriosis. BMJ, 360, k148.
- D'Hooghe, T. M., Lethaby, A., Johnson, N., & Adamson, G. D. (2017). Excision versus ablation for endometriosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), CD012201.
- Taylor, H. G., & Johnson, N. (2018). Medical treatment of endometriosis. BMJ, 360, k146.
- Johnson, N., & D'Hooghe, T. M. (2017). Laparoscopic excision of endometriosis. BMJ, 360, k144.
- Lethaby, A., Johnson, N., D'Hooghe, T. M., Taylor, H. G., Adamson, G. D., & Levac, D. (2017). Surgery for endometriosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), CD004795.
- Hormonal and lifestyle therapies are important adjuncts to surgery for long-term management of endometriosis, being crucial components in the comprehensive health-and-wellness plan for affected females.
- While excision surgery is effective in reducing symptoms associated with endometriosis such as pelvic pain, low back pain, and painful periods, it may not guarantee a permanent resolution and may require ongoing therapies-and-treatments for effective management.
- Women who undergo endometriosis surgeries like excision may experience recovery times of up to 4 weeks, but it's essential to consider individual circumstances, like the severity of the condition and any other health-related factors, when discussing treatment options with a healthcare provider.
