Skip to main navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
For
Medicare
For
Providers
For
Brokers
For
Employers
Español
For Individuals & Families:
For Individuals & Families
Medical
Dental
Other Supplemental
Explore coverage through work
How to Buy Health Insurance
Types of Dental Insurance
Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment
See all topics
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Log in to myCigna
Home
Knowledge Center
Wellness Library
Surgery for Chronic Pelvic Pain
Surgery for Chronic Pelvic Pain
Surgery Overview
Laparotomy is a surgical procedure that is done by making an incision in the lower abdomen. This allows the surgeon to see and inspect the abdominal cavity for structural problems, sites of endometriosis (implants), and scar tissue (adhesions). The surgeon can then remove implants and adhesions. The surgeon can also correct structural problems that interfere with an organ's normal function, such as removing adhesions from the bowel wall.
Many of the procedures that required a laparotomy in the past can now be done with laparoscopy, which uses a smaller incision. Ask your surgeon why laparotomy is required.
What To Expect
What To Expect
- General anesthesia is usually used.
- The hospital stay varies from 2 to 4 days.
- You will likely be able to return to normal activities in 3 to 4 weeks.
Why It Is Done
Why It Is Done
Laparotomy is a likely treatment for moderate to severe chronic female pelvic pain when:
- Sites of endometriosis (implants) and scar tissue (adhesions):
- Cannot be removed by laparoscopy.
- Are interfering with the normal function of other abdominal organs, such as the bowels or bladder.
- A large ovarian cyst is present and scar tissue has formed around the cyst and a fallopian tube.
- There is concern that an ovarian cyst might mean the presence of ovarian cancer.
A laparotomy is usually required to remove:
- Sites of endometriosis (implants) and scar tissue (adhesions) that:
- Bind one segment of bowel to another segment or to other structures in the pelvis.
- Have penetrated deeply into an abdominal organ and cannot be safely removed by laparoscopy.
- Large sites of scar tissue (adhesions).
- Nerves, for pain control (presacral neurectomy).
How Well It Works
How Well It Works
Surgery for chronic female pelvic pain should be limited to the treatment of surgically correctable problems.
Risks
Risks
- Pain may not be controlled or may get worse.
- Scar tissue (adhesions) may form at the surgical site, on the ovaries or fallopian tubes, or in the pelvis.
Current as of: August 2, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Kevin C. Kiley MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org.
© 1995-2023 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
<cipublic-spinner variant="large"><span>Loading…</span></cipublic-spinner>