title: Laparoscopic treatment of deep pelvic endometriosis with rectal involvement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic excision of deep pelvic endometriosis with extensive rectal involvement causing severe symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients, mean age 32 years (range, 27-43), with deep pelvic endometriosis and rectal wall involvement, requiring surgical resection, were studied since January 2004. Prior to surgery and 6 months postsurgery, patients completed a 100-point rank questionnaire on intensity of intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms. A laparoscopic approach was performed by a team of a gynecologist and colorectal surgeons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At surgery, complete excision of infiltrating endometriosis was achieved, with 7 low rectal resections, 2 rectosigmoid resections, and 1 proctectomy with coloanal anastomosis. Additional procedures were: ureter resections (n = 2) with one reimplantation in the bladder, left ovariectomies (n = 2), ovarian endometrioma resections (n = 4), and laser ablation of superficial peritoneal lesions (n = 4). In four cases, a laparotomic conversion was needed. Mean follow-up was 27.6 months (range, 18-37). Neither intraoperative nor postoperative serious complications were observed. All the patients experienced significant improvement of intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic resection of deep pelvic endometriosis with rectal involvement can be successful in improving digestive and gynecologic symptoms; however, this approach is challenging with a high rate of laparotomic conversion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Scientific Institute S. Raffaele Hospital, Vita-Salute University San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. denardi.paola@hsr.it
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Nardi
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carlucci
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Persico
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Staudacher