Laparoscopic Management of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic, estrogen dependent, condition which is characterized by growth of endometrial tissue in sites other than the uterine cavity, leading to dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, non-cyclic pelvic pain and subfertility. The clinical presentation is variable. The treatment of endometriosis depends upon various factors like stage, site and number of foci and associated factors like pain and infertility. Endometriosis remained an enigma before the onset of laparoscopy and the diagnosis of endometriosis was an ambiguous one. Laparoscopic management for endometriosis remains a mainstay of treatment and it retains the ability to conceive. Even though minimal access surgery prevents the need for a laparotomy, the option of offering medical or surgical therapy should be individualized and this should be decided on whether the patient is desirous of conceiving and other factors like patient compliance towards the desired treatment modality.