Laparoscopy is the most common procedure used to diagnose and remove mild to moderate endometriosis. Instead of using a large abdominal incision, the surgeon inserts a lighted viewing instrument called a laparoscope through a small incision.

Laparoscopy can treat endometriosis, ovarian cysts, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.

You can usually resume all normal activities within a week. You’ll need to attend a follow-up appointment with your doctor about one week after laparoscopy.

In both types of surgery, about 20% to 30% of women will have their endometriosis return . The advantage of laparoscopy is a faster recovery that’s less painful. You will probably have to stay in the hospital for several days after a laparotomy, and you may need several weeks to recover.

Surgery can relieve pain, and laparoscopic surgery can potentially help you get pregnant. But, it doesn’t necessarily cure endometriosis. If any endometrial tissue is left in your abdomen, you may still have symptoms. Endometriosis can come back after surgery.

Laparoscopic vs. Open Approach. The open approach involves an 8 to 10 inch incision to open the abdomen and perform the surgery in open view of the surgical team. … In the laparoscopic method, a small fiberoptic tube (the laparoscope), connected to a video camera, is inserted through the small abdominal incisions.

Most women feel able to return to work one to three weeks after a laparoscopy. If you have had a diagnostic laparoscopy or a simple procedure such as a sterilisation, you can expect to feel able to go back to work within one week.

Skin irritation and bladder infection are common side effects of this procedure. More serious complications are rare. However, they include: damage to an abdominal blood vessel, the bladder, the bowel, the uterus, and other pelvic structures.

Those types of stitches are usually removed 3 days to 3 weeks after surgery.

After Surgery

Diagnostic laparoscopy normally only requires a 23-hour or less stay. Expect some swelling and soreness around the surgical site during the first 24 to 48 hours following surgery. You may have some abdominal cramping, nausea and increased urination.

Endometriosis is considered a benign disease: it doesn’t kill. … Endometriosis can grow on important organs such as the bowel and bladder. Surgical removal of the disease on these organs comes with extra risks of complications, so should only be performed when symptoms are severe.