Surgery is performed through small incisions with a slender telescope-like instrument, called a laparoscope placed through a small half-centimeter puncture at the umbilicus (belly-button). Carbon dioxide gas is then introduced into the tummy to distend and to help the surgeon visualize the entire abdominal cavity. The surgeon makes 2 small incisions-usually no larger than half a centimeter each. Miniature surgical instruments, including a video camera, light source, and cautery device are then introduced through these incisions. The surgeon does not see the organ directly, so visualising its place in the body in relation to others is critical.

The camera and light enable doctors to observe the surgical site under highly magnified conditions, as well as monitor their progress on a television screen. Thus, operations that used to require very large incisions now can be performed through very tiny ones.

There are several advantages with this type of operation:

This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does: each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation -- and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems.

Endometriosis can also cause scar tissue and adhesions to develop that can distort a woman's internal anatomy. In advanced stages, internal organs may fuse together, causing a condition known as a "frozen pelvis." Endometrial implants are generally benign (not cancerous).

It can invade into the uterus causing it to swell and it can grow in the ovary to form cysts containing chocolate-looking fluid.

It is estimated that 40% or more of women with endometriosis are infertile, making it one of the top three causes for female infertility. However, endometriosis-related infertility is often treated successfully using surgery and hormone.

Signs & Symptoms of Endometriosis are:

Choosing a treatment therefore comes down to the individual woman's wishes, depending on her symptoms, her age, and her fertility wishes.

Most times, successful treatment is a combination of the above.

The majority of ovarian cysts are asymptomatic. Even malignant ovarian cysts commonly do not cause symptoms until they reach an advanced stage.

Ovarian cysts rarely cause complications, but when they do, may be painful and require removal.

Ovarian cysts are usually diagnosed by chance as most simple ovarian cysts do not produce symptoms unless they have associated complications. Often they are discovered either during a regular pelvic examination or as an unexpected finding during an ultrasound examination of the pelvis. If the cyst does not look simple in nature on ultrasound scanning, other imaging studies may be performed, including MRI and CT scans.

Ovarian cysts are fairly common among women of ages, ranging from girls not yet in puberty to women of childbearing years and women who have already been through menopause.

Functional ovarian cysts are the most common type of ovarian cyst. They usually disappear by themselves and seldom require treatment. Cysts that become abnormally large or last longer than a few months should be removed or examined to determine if they are in fact something more harmful.

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Uterine fibroids are the most common, benign tumors in women of childbearing age, and no one knows exactly what causes them. Though not all women with fibroids have symptoms, when they do have them, they can be frustrating to live with. Some of the symptoms are:

In some cases, fibroids can prevent a woman from being able to become pregnant through natural means.

Your gynaecologist is the best person to discuss the treatment of your fibroids with. She or he will consider a number of things before helping you choose a treatment. Some of these considerations are:

Some drugs can temporarily decrease the size of the fibroids and are often used before surgery to shrink the fibroids, making them easier to remove.
If symptoms persist or if the gynaecologist thinks the fibroids could be the cause of your infertility, surgery may be advised.