Endometriosis

The Specialist Centre Ballarat Endometriosis Surgery

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis refers to a condition in which the lining of the uterus grows outside your uterine cavity and can cause pain and infertility.

When is surgery indicated for treating endometriosis?

Surgery for endometriosis is usually offered by your treating specialist gynaecologist, after extensive consultation and work up. Occasionally a gynaecologist will request a colorectal surgeon to assist them with your surgery. This usually occurs when the endometriosis deposit is found to be large, complex and close to, or directly involving your bowel.

What is involved in the surgery for endometriosis?

The part of the bowel that is most commonly involved is your rectum (the last part of the large bowel that sits directly behind your vagina and uterus). There are a number of approaches we offer to remove the endometriosis. Almost always this surgery can be done through a minimally invasive or key hole approach. Most commonly, we need to carefully remove it off the bowel. In these cases, your gynaecologist will manage all of your care and your colorectal surgeon will attend the operating theatre to assist with your case.

Occasionally it is not possible to separate the endometriosis from the bowel and a small section of bowel needs to be removed to ensure the endometriosis is completely excised. There are a number of techniques used to do this, including a ‘shave’, ‘disc’, ‘wedge resection’ or more extensive ‘anterior resection’. If relevant to you, these options will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation with your colorectal surgeon. Achieving excellent results for the treatment of pain or fertility depend on the technical aspects of your surgery. At the Specialist Centre Ballarat we pride ourselves on our technical outcomes.

If you are likely to have a colorectal surgeon involved in your endometriosis surgery you are likely to need to take ‘bowel prep’ to empty your bowel of faeces prior to the procedure. You will be advised whether or not this is necessary by your gynaecologist or colorectal surgeon or their booking team.