Treatment Overview
The Nerve-Sparing Endometriosis Surgery (NSES) in Korea is a highly specialized minimally invasive procedure designed to remove endometriotic lesions while preserving the integrity of pelvic nerves. This approach focuses not only on excising disease tissue but also on maintaining nerve function to prevent postoperative complications such as chronic pelvic pain, bladder or bowel dysfunction, and sexual dysfunction.
Korea is internationally recognized for its expertise in nerve-sparing gynecologic surgery, combining advanced laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques with precision nerve mapping. This makes Korea a leading destination for patients seeking effective, fertility-preserving, and function-preserving endometriosis treatment.
Purpose & Benefits
Purpose:
- Precisely remove endometriotic lesions, including deep infiltrating disease
- Preserve pelvic nerve function
- Reduce chronic pelvic pain
- Maintain bladder, bowel, and sexual function
- Preserve fertility and pelvic health
Benefits:
- Minimally invasive with small incisions and faster recovery
- Preservation of pelvic nerve structures
- Significant reduction in postoperative pain
- Lower risk of bladder, bowel, or sexual dysfunction
- Reduced adhesion formation
- Shorter hospital stays (often 2–4 days)
- Comprehensive treatment of deep and complex endometriosis
Ideal Candidates
NSES is ideal for women who:
- Have deep infiltrating endometriosis involving pelvic nerves
- Experience severe pelvic pain, bowel/bladder dysfunction, or infertility
- Wish to preserve fertility and nerve function
- Prefer minimally invasive surgery with functional preservation
- Have been recommended for surgery after medical management
Korean hospitals perform detailed preoperative evaluation, including MRI, high-resolution ultrasound, and nerve mapping to create a personalized surgical strategy.
Possible Risks & Complications
While NSES is safe and precise, potential risks include:
- Bleeding or infection
- Injury to bowel, bladder, or ureters
- Adhesion formation
- Incomplete removal of lesions in certain cases
- Recurrence of endometriosis
- Anesthesia-related complications
Korean surgeons significantly reduce these risks using advanced imaging, robotic assistance, and multidisciplinary surgical teams.
Surgical Techniques Used
Korea’s NSES incorporates cutting-edge surgical techniques:
- High-Definition Laparoscopy or Robotic Assistance: Enhances visualization of lesions and pelvic nerves.
- Microsurgical Dissection: Preserves healthy tissue and nerve structures.
- Energy-Based Vessel Sealing (Ultrasonic/Bipolar): Minimizes bleeding and thermal damage.
- CO₂ Laser or Plasma Energy: Offers precise lesion removal with minimal nerve impact.
- Fluorescence Imaging (ICG): Improves nerve identification and lesion mapping.
- Nerve Mapping & Sparing Techniques: Precisely identify and protect nerve pathways during surgery.
These techniques ensure safe removal of lesions while preserving vital pelvic functions.
Recovery & Aftercare
Recovery after NSES depends on the complexity of the disease and surgery. Most patients are discharged within 2–4 days and resume normal activities in 4–6 weeks.
Postoperative care includes:
- Pain management and incision monitoring
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy for functional recovery
- Avoidance of heavy lifting or strenuous activity during recovery
- Hormonal therapy to prevent recurrence
- Follow-up nerve function assessment
- Fertility counseling if desired
Korean hospitals provide a structured aftercare program to promote optimal recovery and reduce recurrence.
Results & Longevity
NSES offers strong long-term benefits:
- Effective removal of deep endometriosis lesions
- Significant reduction of pelvic pain
- Preservation of bladder, bowel, and sexual function
- Fertility preservation
- Minimal scarring and faster recovery
- Lower recurrence rates with expert surgical technique
- High patient satisfaction and improved quality of life
Korea’s advanced surgical training and technology ensure superior outcomes in nerve-sparing endometriosis surgery.
Treatment Process in Korea
The NSES pathway in Korea includes:
- Comprehensive Consultation & Diagnostics: MRI, high-resolution ultrasound, and nerve mapping.
- Personalized Surgical Planning: Based on lesion location, nerve involvement, and patient goals.
- Nerve-Sparing Endometriosis Surgery: Performed with high-definition laparoscopic or robotic-assisted precision.
- Structured Recovery & Follow-Up: Including physiotherapy, nerve function monitoring, hormonal therapy, and fertility counseling.
Korea’s hospitals offer full medical tourism services, including interpretation, transportation, and accommodation arrangements for international patients.
Cost Range
The Nerve-Sparing Endometriosis Surgery in Korea generally ranges between USD 13,000 and 26,000, depending on:
- Extent and complexity of disease
- Surgical technology used (robotic vs laparoscopic)
- Hospital and surgeon expertise
- Length of hospital stay and aftercare services
Costs typically include consultation, surgery, anesthesia, hospitalization, and postoperative care.
Popular Clinics
- Samsung Medical Center (Seoul): Pioneers in nerve-sparing gynecologic surgery with advanced laparoscopic and robotic techniques.
- Asan Medical Center (Seoul): Specializes in multidisciplinary endometriosis surgery, including nerve preservation.
- Severance Hospital (Yonsei University, Seoul): Known for high-precision nerve-sparing endometriosis excision.
- CHA Gangnam Medical Center: Experts in minimally invasive nerve-sparing procedures for deep endometriosis.
- Ewha Womans University Medical Center: Integrates nerve-sparing endometriosis surgery with comprehensive recovery care.
