title: Posterior Deep Infiltrating Endometriotic Nodules: Operative Considerations according to Lesion Size, Location, and Geometry, during One's Learning Curve.
abstract: We conducted this prospective cohort study to standardize our laparoscopic technique of excision of posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) nodules, according to their size, location, and geometry, including 36 patients who were grouped, according to principal pelvic expansion of the nodule, into groups with central (group 1) and lateral (group 2) lesions, and according to nodule size, into ≤2 cm (group A) and >2 cm (group B) lesions, respectively. In cases of group 1 the following operative steps were more frequently performed compared to those of group 2: suspension of the rectosigmoid, colpectomy, and placement of bowel wall reinforcement sutures. The opposite was true regarding suspension of the adnexa, systematic ureteric dissection, and removal of the diseased pelvic peritoneum. When grouping patients according to nodule size, almost all of the examined parameters were more frequently applied to patients of group B: adnexal suspension, suspension of the rectosigmoid, systematic ureteric dissection, division of uterine vein, colpectomy, and placement of bowel wall reinforcement sutures. Nodule size was the single most important determinant of duration of surgery. In conclusion, during the building-up of one's learning curve of laparoscopic excision of posterior DIE nodules, technique standardization is very important to avoid complications.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, "Alexandra" Hospital, 3 Aisopou Street, Marousi, 15122 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9395-9162
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Protopapas
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, "Alexandra" Hospital, 3 Aisopou Street, Marousi, 15122 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannoulis
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, "Alexandra" Hospital, 3 Aisopou Street, Marousi, 15122 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chatzipapas
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, "Alexandra" Hospital, 3 Aisopou Street, Marousi, 15122 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, "Alexandra" Hospital, 3 Aisopou Street, Marousi, 15122 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Themistoklis
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4301-8775
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grigoriadis
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, "Alexandra" Hospital, 3 Aisopou Street, Marousi, 15122 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haidopoulos
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, "Alexandra" Hospital, 3 Aisopou Street, Marousi, 15122 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Loutradis
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, "Alexandra" Hospital, 3 Aisopou Street, Marousi, 15122 Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Aris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antsaklis