Incisional endometriomas after Cesarean section: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
To review a series of women with endometriomas developing in the scar of the skin incision performed for cesarean section.


METHODS
A total of 37 patients diagnosed with incisional endometrioma at the time of surgical excision from 1975 to 2005 were identified from the comprehensive surgical database, which includes all operative procedures performed at this institution. The medical records of 33 of the 37 patients were available for review.


RESULTS
The endometriomas ranged in size from a diameter of 1-12 cm and were initially observed to be present 6 months to 9 years (mean, 3.2) after the surgical procedure. Diagnosis was best made by needle aspiration of chocolate colored fluid from the mass. Medical therapy with a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist, medroxyprogesterone acetate or combination oral contraceptives had been attempted in 14 patients without a change in lesion size. All patients were cured by surgical excision of the endometrioma.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall incidence of incisional endometriomas following cesarean section during the 30-year period was 0.08%. Optimal treatment is by surgical excision. It is hypothesized that failure to close the parietal and visceral peritoneum with sutures at the time of cesarean section may markedly increase the postoperative occurrence of an endometrioma in the skin incision scar.
Minaglia
Steven
S
From the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
Mishell
Daniel R
DR
Ballard
Charles A
CA
D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000150:complications*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies