Tailoring radicality in demolitive surgery for deeply infiltrating endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of standard extrafascial hysterectomy and tailored radical hysterectomy as a definitive treatment of recurrent deep endometriosis.


METHODS
This was a descriptive study that comprised 38 patients who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy between 1989 and 2002 for symptomatic recurrences of deep endometriosis, after>or=1 previous surgical procedures and ovarian suppressive medical treatments. After the operation, all of the patients were given transdermal estradiol. The minimum follow-up time was 24 months.


RESULTS
Twenty-six patients underwent standard extra-fascial hysterectomy (group A), and 12 patients underwent modified radical hysterectomy that included the removal of all deeply infiltrating endometriotic lesions (group B). The recurrence of pain caused by endometriosis occurred in 8 women (31%) of group A and in no patients of group B.


CONCLUSIONS
Definitive surgery for deep endometriosis should include the removal of the uterus, adnexa, and all surgically accessible deep lesions. As a consequence, the surgeon must be familiar with radical pelvic surgery.
Fedele
Luigi
L
Clinica Ostetrico-Ginecologica dell'Università di Milano, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano, Italy. luigi.fedele@unimi.it
Bianchi
Stefano
S
Zanconato
Giovanni
G
Berlanda
Nicola
N
Borruto
Franco
F
Frontino
Giada
G
D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome