Laparoscopic and Robotic Resection of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful gynecological condition that millions of women struggle with worldwide. Barbara Schroeder, MD, offers laparoscopic and robotic resection of endometriosis as a minimally invasive way to manage the condition.

More than three million women per year are afflicted with endometriosis in the U.S. Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder in which the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus) begins to grow outside of the uterus. This results in chronic pain and other debilitating symptoms including, but not limited to, the following:

• Pain during intercourse

• Severe menstrual cramping

• Lower back pain

• Painful urination or bowel movements

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Infertility

To minimize the symptoms associated with endometriosis, the endometrial tissue that has grown outside the uterus can be surgically removed or resected. This is especially important for women who plan on getting pregnant in the future, as untreated endometriosis can lead to infertility. Dr. Schroeder provides both laparoscopic and robotic resection for endometriosis patients.

During laparoscopic endometriosis resection, the patient receives general anesthesia. Dr. Schroeder will then make small incisions across the lower abdominal region and introduce carbon dioxide into the abdominal cavity to expand the space and give the surgeon room to work. Then, Dr. Schroeder will insert a laparoscope (a thin, long instrument with a light and a camera lens on the tip) into the pelvic region for light and visual imagery of the pelvic cavity and organs. These conditions allow Dr. Schroeder to efficiently resect portions of endometrium that have grown outside of the uterus and remove them from the pelvic region.

During a robotic procedure to resect endometriosis, the patient receives general anesthesia. Small incisions are then made along the lower abdominal region to allow Dr. Schroeder to insert miniaturized surgical instruments into the pelvic region. With the use of the daVinci system, innovative 3D technology gives Dr. Schroeder enhanced images of the pelvic organs. This makes it possible to maneuver the miniaturized surgical instruments to resection endometrium material that has grown outside of the uterus and remove it in a minimally invasive way. The DaVinci allows for close-up visualization of endometriotic lesions allowing the surgeon to remove even the smallest affected areas with precision.

Dr. Schroeder is a top gynecological surgeon in Houston who offers laparoscopic and robotic resection of endometriosis as minimally invasive outpatient gynecologic procedures. These procedures make it possible for the patient to return home the same day as the surgery. Due to their simplistic nature, these procedures result in minimal pain and a faster recovery time.

Since they only require small incisions, they also leave very minimal to no scarring on the abdominal region. This is why laparoscopic and robotic endometriosis resection are among the most popular techniques for managing endometriosis.