Can Endometriosis Surgery Affect Fertility? Role of Robotic Excision Explored
Key Takeaways Endometriosis excision surgery works by removing inflamed tissue and scarring that can block eggs from reaching the uterus, which may improve the odds of pregnancy for women struggling to conceive. Spontaneous conception chances after excision, without assisted reproductive technology, vary widely by disease stage, from roughly 80-85% for mild cases down to 50-60% for the most advanced stages. Robotic-assisted cystectomy is associated with reduced inadvertent removal of ovarian cortex during lesion removal, though follicle-based specimen measurements have not consistently differed between robotic and traditional approaches. The Endometriosis Fertility Index helps surgeons estimate a patient's natural conception chances after surgery and decide when assisted reproductive technology should be considered sooner rather than later. Timing matters: egg freezing before ovarian surgery and choosing a surgeon with advanced excision training are both discussed as ways to prote...