Electrocoagulation for Endometriosis

Overview
Electrocoagulation is one technique used to destroy endometrial implants during excision surgery. The other techniques frequently used for excision are simple excision with a blade and electrosurgery.

What does it involve?
During electrocoagulation, surgeons use high-frequency electrical currents to destroy diseased tissue with heat. As a surgical technique, electrocoagulation allows for easier, more removal of endometrial implants than simple excision with a scalpel. Electrocoagulation may also cause less blood loss than simple excision.

Electrocoagulation changes the appearance of surrounding and underlying healthy tissue. Electrocoagulation may render tissue recovered during excision surgery more difficult to test for endometriosis or other abnormalities. Some surgeons favor electrosurgery over electrocoagulation because it allows them to explore how deeply diseased tissue penetrates and completely remove even the deepest implants.

Intended Outcomes
Excision can significantly increase your quality of life by relieving pain associated with endometriosis for many years. Excision may improve fertility and increase the chances of successful pregnancy.

Results
Studies comparing the results of different surgical techniques used for excision are inconclusive. There is no evidence that one technique furnishes better results than any other technique.

Constraints
Any surgery carries risks including blood clots, blood loss, infection, breathing problems, scarring, reactions to medication, and heart attack or stroke during the surgery. Short-term complications of surgery for endometriosis can include pain in the surgical area, constipation, diarrhea, bladder or vein irritation, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, nightmares, trouble sleeping, headaches, and shoulder pain from gas trapped beneath the diaphragm. Long-term complications can include scarring and adhesions, both of which can affect fertility and necessitate additional surgeries. Also, excision of deep endometrial implants from an organ may cause damage or affect function.

In rare cases, electrocoagulation can carry the risks of skin burns, combustion of bowel or anesthetic gas, and interference with other electronics including pacemakers, monitors, or defibrillators.

Call your doctor if you notice symptoms of infection such as fever, bleeding, swelling, or increased pain at the incision, or severe abdominal cramping and pain. Notify your doctor if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, discharge from the wound, abnormal or foul-smelling vaginal discharge, pain or swelling in your calves, painful or frequent urination, or vomiting more than 24 hours after the surgery.

Excision surgery may not be effective in relieving your pain from endometriosis or improving your fertility.

Your endometriosis may recur. You may need surgery again in the future to treat new implants.