title: Histopathological extent of rectal invasion by rectovaginal endometriosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to evaluate the microscopic extent of endometriosis in surgical en-bloc specimens of vaginal skin, rectovaginal septum, cul-de-sac, and part of the rectosigmoid bowel.
  
  
  METHODS
  From December, 1997 to October, 2001, 50 patients with the trias of intestinal pain, palpable disease in the rectovaginal septum, and laparoscopic diagnosis of endometriosis of the cul-de-sac and/or rectosigmoid colon underwent combined laparoscopic-vaginal en-bloc resection of the cul-de-sac with partial resection of the posterior vaginal wall and rectum with reanastomosis by minilaparotomy. All surgical specimens were histopathologically evaluated in a standardized fashion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean length of the bowel specimen was 7.48 cm. Endometriosis involved the serosa and muscularis propria in all patients, the submucosa in 17 patients (34%), and the mucosa in five patients (10%). After a mean follow-up of 32 months, 90% of patients reported a considerable improvement or were completely free of symptoms and the rate of recurrence was 4% (two patients).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Partial bowel resection indicates the depth and multifocality of endometriosis affecting the recto-sigmoid colon. Such extensive surgery appears justified by the extent of the lesions and the long-term relief of symptoms achieved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Friedrich Schiller University, Bachstrasse 18, 07740 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kavallaris
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kühne-Heid
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000473:pathology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology*; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery