Severe Endometriosis

In laparoscopy, the surgeon works with the help of tiny cameras that make even the finest structures inside the body visible. A surgical laparoscopic procedure is therefore the gentlest and most effective method of treating severe endometriosis. The endometriosis is completely removed while the pelvic organs and their functions remain intact. In most cases, removal of the uterus or ovaries is not necessary or desirable if the patient wants to have children at a later stage.

Treatment of endometriosis of the rectum, bladder or ureter

Deeply infiltrating endometriosis in the rectovaginal septum - the region between the intestine and the vagina - is particularly difficult to treat. Endometriosis often infiltrates the rectum, ureter, bladder or even the pelvic nerves that control the rectum, bladder and sexual functions. Extensive endometriosis of the rectum can lead to bowel obstruction, bleeding from the bladder, blockage of the ureters and thus irreversible kidney damage or destruction of the bladder wall.

Surgical removal of the endometriosis is necessary in this severe form of the disease, possibly with simultaneous removal of parts of the affected organs. Such an operation can be performed either by laparoscopy or open access. The advantage of laparoscopy is that all pelvic nerves become visible, making their preservation possible. Complex neurosurgical procedures can also be performed using laparoscopy. The "Laparoscopic Neuro-Navigation" (LANN) is the result of this development. Prof. Possover has proven that the LANN technique can prevent postoperative nerve dysfunction, such as bladder, intestinal and sexual dysfunction, through its particularly nerve-sparing procedure, even during very extensive interventions.

Endometriosis can also affect the sciatic nerve and all nerves in the pelvis, including the obturatorius nerve, a nerve of the lumbar plexus, and the femoral nerves. About 15 years ago, Prof. Possover drew the attention of medical experts to this form of the disease. Since then, hundreds of operations of all types of endometriosis have been performed at the Possover International Medical Center.

In the case of endometriosis of the pelvic nerves, hormone therapy is not effective - it even carries the risk of unnecessarily delaying surgical treatment of the disease. However, surgical therapy is necessary in order to avoid irreversible damage to the nerves, which leads to motor deficits and particularly affects the movement of the lifting and lowering of the foot.

The removal of endometriosis of the sciatic nerve is the most demanding of all pelvic surgeries. It requires the surgeon to have a solid knowledge of the anatomical complexity of the pelvis - especially the pelvic nerves - and extensive surgical experience. In the Possover International Medical Center Prof. Possover performs these procedures laparoscopically. With more than 350 such operations, Prof. Possover is the world's leading expert in the laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis of the sciatic nerve. The use of tiny cameras enables minimally invasive, high precision treatment with the best possible preservation of the nerves.

An international centre of excellence for advanced treatment

The Endometriosis Center in Zurich, Switzerland, under the direction of Prof. Possover, offers personalized consulting and treatment based on the very latest medical and scientific expertise. All types of endometriosis are treated, from simple to complex cases. The surgical procedures are almost always performed using laparoscopic surgical techniques. Prof. Possover specializes in laparoscopic surgery of severe endometriosis and is the world's leading expert in laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis of the sciatic nerve.

At the endometriosis centre you will be accompanied and cared for individually - psychologically and in regards pain management also. Taking into account the personal needs of those affected and the involvement of their relatives are just as important to us as the quality of the medical treatment we provide. A comprehensive explanation and in-depth consultation as well as making careful joint decisions on treatment, are a matter of course for us.
Due to the complexity of endometriosis, there is also close cooperation with other specialist disciplines and external departments, for example in connection with fertility issues. In addition, we collaborate with a practice for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and integrate complementary forms of therapy in addition to surgical and hormonal ones.

The Endometriosis Centre was evaluated by international experts and was the first centre in Switzerland to be certified as a Level III Endometriosis Centre by the "Endometriosis Research Foundation" and the "European Endometriosis League". This is proof of the high clinical and international scientific level of the physicians working at the Center.