In 1980 Dr. Redwine began his lifelong work of trying to gain a better understanding of endometriosis. Initially he began doing excision (cutting the lesions out) by laparotomy (surgery where a large incision is made across the abdomen). He always sent the tissue off to pathology and would then compare the pathologist's findings to the pelvic map he had drawn that detailed the site of each piece of tissue he removed. He also noted the color of the majority of the lesions in each patient. By comparing the pathology report with his color classification system, Dr. Redwine became skilled in identifying endometriosis lesions even when they didn't have the typical old style textbook look. He was one of the first gynecologists to determine that endometriosis lesions come in many colors.

Because laparoscopic surgery (surgery done looking through a tube with a camera at the end) allows for such a clear view of the tissue, Dr. Redwine began exclusively using and perfecting this technique. Laparoscopic surgery is also less painful for the patient, has a faster recovery time, less blood loss and a lower infection rate.

Around 1984 Dr. Sharpe, a general surgeon who was interested in endometriosis, began working with Dr. Redwine when lesions were found on the bowel. Ultimately Dr. Redwine became so skilled at laparoscopic surgery that he now has privileges to remove endometriosis from areas other gynecologists avoid. If endometriosis involves the bowel, Dr. Redwine has surgical privileges to perform partial thickness, full thickness or segmental bowel resections as needed. If the bladder is involved by endometriosis, Dr. Redwine has privileges to remove endometriosis with either partial thickness or full thickness resections. If the ureter is invaded by endometriosis, Dr. Redwine can remove the involved segment and suture the ureter back together. Most of these surgeries can be done through the laparoscope.

The end result for our patients is that you will probably not need another surgeon, or need another surgery if endometriosis is found on your bowel or bladder. This helps streamline surgical scheduling as well as the surgery itself. You, the patient, benefit because all pelvic, intestinal and urological disease is removed by the same very experienced surgeon.