Recurrence of ovarian endometriosis and anatomical location of the primary lesion.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the risk of endometriosis recurrence and pregnancy rate are related to the side of the pelvis on which the primary lesion is found.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Tertiary institutional hospital.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-one patients with advanced-stage pelvic endometriosis.


METHODS
Conservative laparoscopic treatment.


METHODS
Endometriosis recurrence and pregnancy rate.


RESULTS
Endometriosis was localized on the left hemipelvis, right hemipelvis, and bilaterally in 47.9%, 33.9%, and 18.2% of patients, respectively. The overall rate of disease recurrence was 17.3%. The recurrence rate was higher when the left ovary was involved than when it was not (29% vs. 7.3%; P<.05). The overall rate of spontaneous pregnancy was 48.1%. The median interval between surgery and occurrence of pregnancy was shorter in patients with endometriosis limited to the right hemipelvis than in those with disease limited to the left side (21 months [range, 12-48 months] vs. 9 months [range, 6-12 months]; P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The likelihood of disease recurrence is lower when endometriosis is located only on the right side of the pelvis than when the left side is involved. In patients who try to conceive, the time between surgery and occurrence of pregnancy seems to be shorter when the endometriosis is localized in the right hemipelvis.
Ghezzi
F
F
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. fabio.ghezzi@uninsubria.it
Beretta
P
P
Franchi
M
M
Parissis
M
M
Bolis
P
P
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012008:Recurrence