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Frequently asked questions

Find answers here to the questions most frequently asked by patients undergoing surgery for endometriosis.

The length of an operation depends on the complexity of the disease, previous surgery (which may be responsible for adhesions that make the surgery more difficult), the number of procedures to be performed (for example, an operation that includes both rectal resection and resection of the ureter will be much longer than surgery with only one resection). To give you some idea of the time required, discoid resection of the rectum takes approximately one hour, colorectal or robotic diaphragm resection requires around 90 minutes and sacral plexus surgery about two hours. The most difficult surgeries can last 6 or 7 hours.

After endometriosis surgery, hospital stays usually last 1 to 3 days if there are no post-operative complications.

Yes, bleeding can occur. Surgery for endometriosis generally takes place behind the uterus, which means that the surgeon is required to tilt the uterus forwards to work safely. Tilting is achieved by inserting a cannulator into the uterus, which also allows a tubal patency test to be performed. The cannulator is removed at the end of the procedure but contact with the uterine lining may cause bleeding in the first few days after surgery. This bleeding is usually not accompanied by pain and stops spontaneously after 24 or 48 hours.

Acute pain is due to inflammation that occurs after all surgical procedures, especially the more complex ones. Its duration is very variable, lasting from 1 day to several weeks. It is important to take pain killers to avoid this pain, which can cause make you feel worried. During the preoperative consultation, you will receive a prescription with the pain medication you need after leaving the clinic, so that you can obtain the medication before surgery.

Postoperative pain is different from pain caused by endometriosis before surgery. This does not mean that we replace one pain with another. Sometimes pain experienced immediately after surgery resembles familiar menstrual pain, this is because in both cases it is the consequence of inflammatory processes. In general, postoperative pain disapears in the sickleave period. However, in patients with pelvic hypersensitivity (or chronic pelvic pain), postoperative pain may be amplified by this hypersensitivity.

The signs of any abnormal postoperative developments vary depending on each type of surgery, and these will be clearly explained to you before you leave the clinic. However, it is very important to immediately contact us, whatever type of the surgery you have had, should you develop a fever, and specifically a rectal temperature of more than 38°C (100.4°F).

The length of time off work depends on the type of surgery and to how you are postoperatively. It will generally vary between 2 and 4 weeks.

If you are unable to return to work due to persistent pain or extreme fatigue, your GP can extend your time off work by 1 to 2 weeks. If you require further time off, you will need to contact us so that we can assess your state of health and the postoperative consequences.

Last updated on May 1, 2021 @ 11:08

Admission

Admission for endometriosis surgery.

Anesthesia

Your appointment with the anesthesiologist.

Planning your stay

Plan your stay in hospital.

After surgery

What happens after your operation?