Fertility considerations in laparoscopic treatment of infiltrative bowel endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine our experience with laparoscopic and laparoscopically assisted management of bowel endometriosis and to recommend treatment approaches, considering patient goals for both pain mitigation or fertility, or both.


METHODS
The medical records of 187 women treated laparoscopically for intestinal endometriosis were reviewed retrospectively for presenting symptoms, methods of surgical treatment, complications, and efficacy of treating pain and infertility. The extent of resection was determined by the severity of the endometriotic lesion, tempered by the patient's fertility goals.


RESULTS
The most common patient complaint preceding surgery was pelvic pain. In addition, 58 (31%) patients experienced impaired fertility. Of the patients available for long-term follow-up, 152 (85%) reported complete or significant long-term pain relief. Complete pain relief in the immediate postoperative period was significantly more likely with partial bowel resection compared with shaving only, 92% vs 80%, respectively, P<0.04. The least invasive procedure, shaving, was associated with a significantly lower complication rate, 6%, compared with 23% for disc excision (P<0.007) and 38% for segmental resection (P<0.001), and higher pregnancy rates. The incidence of pregnancy in patients with a history of infertility was 34% during the follow-up period.
Mohr
Catherine
C
Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.
Nezhat
Farr R
FR
Nezhat
Ceana H
CH
Seidman
Daniel S
DS
Nezhat
Camran R
CR
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies