Abdominal wall endometriomas.
OBJECTIVE
Abdominal wall endometriosis is rare, with an incidence of 0.03-0.47% following cesarean delivery.


METHODS
The study reviewed abdominal wall endometriomas during an 8-year period in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital.


RESULTS
Of 166 patients with endometriosis treated surgically in the hospital during an 8-year period, 20 (12%) had abdominal wall endometriomas. The mean interval between the prior operation and the appearance of the first symptoms was 39.3 months. Preoperative diagnosis was correct in 14 patients (70%).


CONCLUSIONS
Abdominal wall endometrioma is more common than generally assumed in patients visiting the hospital. In patients with a palpable subcutaneous mass near surgical scars associated with cyclic or constant pain, a thorough history and physical examination are sufficient to establish the presence of endometriomas. A surgical-wide excision with clear margins is the single treatment of choice.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Yu
Y
Chang
Eing Mei
EM
Tsai
Cheng Yu
CY
Long
Yung Hung
YH
Chen
Nari
N
Kay
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult