title: Endoscopic treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) involving the bladder and rectosigmoid colon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To study the feasibility, complications and symptom relief of laparoscopic treatment in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2004 to March 2005, 24 patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis were treated with laparoscopic techniques. Preoperative symptoms, staging, involvement of the disease, and surgical procedures were recorded. Operating time and perioperative complications were also registered, as well as follow-up of the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The surgical treatment was individualized with removal of deep infiltrating endometriosis in all 24 patients, additional bladder resection in five patients and colorectal resection in eight patients. In two cases laparoconversion was performed, and one patient had a temporary loop ileostomy. We observed no major peri- or postoperative complications. Median operating time was 3.4 h (range 1.4-8.0 h). All patients with bladder involvement were relieved of their urinary dysfunction, while all except three patients were successfully treated for their pain problems, and also these three patients had symptom relief.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis represent a challenge to surgical procedures. Our results show that radical laparoscopic surgery including colorectal and bladder resection is feasible, safe, and effective in almost all patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. anton.langebrekke@ulleval.no
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langebrekke
authors.forename: Olav
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Istre
authors.forename: Bjørn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Busund
authors.forename: Hans-Olaf
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Johannessen
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Qvigstad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000601:surgery*