Endometriosis / Adenomyosis
Endometriosis is when tissue that is normally in the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel and possibly other places in the pelvic cavity. Sometimes it can even grow outside the pelvis.
This extra tissue may be referred to as "implants". During your period, the extra tissue swells with blood along with the normal tissue in your uterus. This swelling and blood can irritate nearby tissues, which can cause pain or cramps. Constant irritation may cause scar tissue known as "adhesions" to form. These adhesions can bind organs together and cause additional pain or discomfort. Adhesions may also make it difficult to get pregnant or maintain a pregnancy. In other words, adhesions caused by endometriosis can cause infertility.
Endometriosis is one of the most common health problems for women.1 Symptoms are usually experienced by women in their 30s and 40s, but can occur in anyone who has menstrual periods. The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, although there are many theories. Unfortunately, there is no cure for endometriosis but there are several treatments for the pain and infertility it may cause.
Common Symptoms of Endometriosis
If you have endometriosis, you may have one or more of these symptoms:
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Cramps and menstrual pain
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Pelvic pain
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Pain during sexual intercourse
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Infertility - trouble getting pregnant (endometriosis)
Stages of Endometriosis
The stages of endometriosis are ranked as follows: minimal (I), mild (II), moderate (III), or severe (IV). Staging of this condition depends on the number, size, and site of the implants. The stage also depends on the extent of the adhesions and whether other pelvic organs are involved. The severity of your disease may not match the pain you feel. Even mild endometriosis can cause severe pain.
All surgery presents risk, including da Vinci® Surgery and other minimally invasive procedures. Serious complications may occur in any surgery, up to and including death. Examples of serious or life-threatening complications which may require hospitalization include injury to tissues or organs, bleeding, infection or internal scarring that can cause long-lasting dysfunction or pain. Temporary pain or nerve injury has been linked to the inverted position often used during abdominal and pelvic surgery. Risks of surgery also include potential for equipment failure and human error. Risks specific to minimally invasive surgery may include: A long operation and time under anesthesia, conversion to another technique or the need for additional or larger incisions. If your surgeon needs to convert the procedure, it could mean a long operative time with additional time under anesthesia and increased complications. Temporary pain or discomfort may result from pneumoperitoneum, the presence of air or gas in the abdominal cavity used by surgeons in minimally invasive surgery. Research suggests that there could be an increased risk of incision-site hernia with single-incision surgery. Results, including cosmetic results, may vary. Patients who bleed easily, who have abnormal blood clotting, are pregnant or morbidly obese are typically not candidates for minimally invasive surgery, including da Vinci® Surgery. Other options may be available. Patients should talk to their doctors about their surgical experience and to decide if da Vinci Surgery is right for them. We encourage patients and physicians to review all available information on surgical options and treatment in order to make an informed decision. Clinical studies are available through the National Library of Medicine at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed. For more complete information on surgical risks, safety, and indications for use, please refer to www.davincisurgery.com.
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