title: A pilot feasibility multicenter study of patients after excision of endometriosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To serve as a pilot feasibility study for a randomized study of excision versus ablation in the treatment of endometriosis by (1) estimating the magnitude of change in symptoms after excision only at multiple referral centers and (2) determining the proportion of women willing to participate in a randomized trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a multicenter prospective study of women undergoing excision for endometriosis (Canadian Task Force class II-3) at Duke University Center for Endometriosis Research & Treatment (currently the Saint Louis University Center for Endometriosis), Center for Endometriosis Care, Northshore University Health System, Memorial University (Canada), and Florida Hospital. The study comprised 100 female patients, aged 18 to 55 years, with endometriosis-suspected pelvic pain. The intervention was laparoscopic excision only of the abnormal peritoneum suspicious for endometriosis. The main outcome measures were quality of life, pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and bowel and bladder symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up period was 8.5 months. Excision of endometriosis showed a significant reduction in all pain scores except bowel symptoms, as well as significant improvement in quality of life. Of the patients, 84% were willing to participate in a randomized study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality of life is a needed primary outcome for any randomized study comparing excision versus ablation. A multicenter comparative trial is feasible, although quality assurance would have to be addressed. Patients were willing to be randomized even at surgical referral centers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA. PYeungl@slu.edu
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tu
authors.forename: Krisztina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bajzak
authors.forename: Georgine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lamvu
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Guzovsky
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agnelli
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peavey
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Winer
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Albee
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sinervo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D055815:Young Adult