Difference between endometrial ablation and endometrial resection ?

[Lisamarie7]

Hi could anyone tell me the difference between endometrial ablation and resection ?

Do either of these help with endo ? I'm confused on how my op will be done if my uterus is fused to my bowel x

I've got my consultants appointment on 24th sept

Thanks in advance

Lisa

[Impatient]

The lining or the uterus/womb is called the endometrium. The cells are endometrial cells.

The word endometrial refers to those cells inside the uterus where they are supposed to be.

Endometriosis refers to cells from the endometrium that are found outside of the uterus where they are not supposed to be.

Ablation refers to heating or freezing of the cells using a variety of methods.

Basically vaporising or zapping them in to oblivion. Cooking them from the inside of the uterus using equipment inserted up the vagina - a much quicker procedure than a resection.

Laser beam (laser thermal ablation). [Same as used on endo]

Heat (thermal ablation), using:

Radiofrequency.

A balloon filled with saline solution that has been heated to 85°C (185°F) (thermal balloon ablation).

Normal saline (heated free fluid).

Electricity, using a resectoscope with a loop or rolling ball electrode. [Diathermy same as for endo]

Freezing.

Microwave.

Whereas a resection is the excision or cutting away of cells or tissue and physically taking them out of the body.

If the word endometrial is used before ablation then it refers to a quick procedure to obliterate part or all of the lining of the womb and endometrial excision is the cutting away of the lining of the womb.

The procedures can be for a small area for example to get rid of a fibroid, or the entire surface area inside - which would stop periods and prevent the use of the womb for pregnancy in the future.

If the word endometriosis is used before ablation or excision then it means endo patches found anywhere else in the body except not inside the womb - that will refer to having your endo attacked. Endo being the nickname we endo ladies use for endometriosis, not to be confused with endometrial or endometrium which are inside the womb.

The bowel and uterus being fused together means either stuck closely together with adhesions or actually growing together. Endometriosis on the outside surface of the uterus can merge with endometriosis on the bowel surface. or it can cause sticky strands of scar tissue called adhesions to grow which can stick the uterus to the bowel anywhere inside the pocket or space at the back of the uterus which is called the POD (pouch of Douglas).

If you are not sure what your surgeon is actually planning to do - please ask him or her to explain exactly what he plans to do, if you do want to clear up any confusion you have.

You may prefer not to know, and just let the experts get on with whatever they need to do.

If it is ablation - ask what method is intended to be used and you can then look that up.

If resection then it might mean removing one section of tissue like cutting out a fibroid in the case of the womb.

It could also mean in the case of a tube like the bowel, the removal of an entire section of tube and then joining the two ends together.

Like cutting a slice from the middle of a loaf of bread or a swiss roll and sticking the two ends back together to make a shorter loaf or swissroll.

Hope that gives you some idea of the differences.