Is laparoscopy more effective than laparotomy?
Laparoscopy and laparotomy are equally effective in relieving pain and improving fertility. Endometriosis recurs in about 20 percent of cases over 5 years in both procedures. Patients who undergo laparoscopy, however, experience a more rapid and less painful recovery. Deciding which surgical procedure to use should be based on the patient’s preference and the physician’s experience with the technique. What can be done to reduce the likelihood that new adhesions will form? Adhesions are fibrous bands connecting structures that normally are separate. Adhesions develop as a response of normal tissue to some type of injury or trauma (as in surgery). In most cases, patients who undergo surgery for endometriosis will form new adhesions at the site of the surgery. Adhesion formation may cause infertility by impairing the function of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Adhesions also may cause pelvic pain and small bowel obstruction. There are some newer preventive treatments that can be used dur
