Frequently asked questions

The duration of an operation depends on the complexity of the disease in each case, the surgical history (which may be responsible for adhesions that make surgery more difficult), and the number of procedures to be performed (for example, an operation that includes a rectal resection and a ureteral resection will be considerably longer than one that includes only one of these two procedures). By way of example, a discoid resection of the rectum takes about an hour, a colorectal resection or a robotic resection of the diaphragm about an hour and a half, sacral plexus surgery about two hours... The most difficult cases can last longer, sometimes 6 or 7 hours.

Hospitalization after endometriosis surgery, apart from post-operative complications, generally lasts between 1 and 3 days.

In most cases, endometriosis surgery is performed behind the uterus, which means that the surgeon must antevert the uterus in order to work safely. Anteversion is achieved by inserting a cannulator into the uterus, which also enables a tubal patency test to be performed. The cannulator is removed at the end of the procedure. Nevertheless, contact with the uterine mucosa may lead to bleeding in the days following surgery. This bleeding is not usually accompanied by pain, and stops spontaneously after 24 or 48 hours. 

Acute pain is caused by the inflammation that accompanies every surgical procedure, especially the more complex ones. They can last from 1 day to several weeks. It is important to take systematic analgesic treatment to prevent the onset of these pains, which are a source of anxiety. During the pre-operative consultation, you will be given a prescription for the analgesic treatment you will need after leaving the clinic, so that you can obtain it in advance.

Postoperative pain has a different mechanism to endometriosis pain prior to surgery. This doesn't mean that we replace some pains with others... Sometimes, the pain experienced immediately after surgery resembles the pain experienced during menstruation, because in both cases it is the consequence of inflammatory processes. On the whole, post-operative pain lasts as long as the patient is off work. However, in patients with pelvic hypersensitivity (or chronic pelvic pain), postoperative pain may be amplified by hypersensitivity phenomena.

The signs of abnormal postoperative evolution are specific to each type of surgery, and will be explained to you in detail before you leave the clinic. There is, however, one sign that must be taken into account, as its appearance justifies contacting us without delay, whatever the type of surgery performed: fever, more precisely an intrarectal temperature above 38°C.

The length of time off work is specific to each type of operation, and to the post-operative after-effects. It generally varies between 2 and 4 weeks.

If your state of health does not allow you to return to work, due to persistent pain or extreme fatigue, your GP may extend your leave by 1 to 2 weeks. If you require an extension beyond 2 weeks, it is advisable to contact us so that we can assess your state of health and the post-operative follow-up.