Evaluation of pre- and post-operative symptoms in patients submitted to linear stapler nodulectomy due to anterior rectal wall endometriosis.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a more versatile rectosigmoid nodulectomy technique using a linear stapler.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
tertiary care (reference center for endometriosis surgery).


METHODS
Sixty-one consecutive patients who were operated on between January 2006 and February 2013.


METHODS
anterior rectal wall nodulectomy technique using sequential bites of the linear stapler.


METHODS
Perioperative complications were recorded, and a condition-specific bowel dysfunction quality of life questionnaire (Rome III--Constipation) was applied pre-operatively and post-operatively during the first week of April 2013.


METHODS
Canadian Task Force III RESULTS: A total of 61 patients were submitted to the intervention. After a mean follow-up period of 1.83 years (.25-7.1 ± 1.97), no post-operative fistula or leakage was observed. In addition, no cases of rectal stenosis or bowel obstruction were recorded, and two patients were excluded for not answering the post-operative questionnaire. According to the Rome III questionnaire, constipation symptoms improved significantly in 12 out of 17 questions. No patient reported worsening of symptoms in question.


CONCLUSIONS
Linear stapler resection is a safe alternative to segmentar resection for endometriotic nodules on the anterior rectal wall.
Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Unit, Department of Gynecology, Escola Paulista de Medicina da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), Rua Américo Brasiliense, 1479 - 3° andar, São Paulo, 04715-003, SP, Brazil, gilkamer@gmail.com.
Gil
G
Kamergorodsky
Nucelio
N
Lemos
Francisco C
FC
Rodrigues
Fernando Yassuo
FY
Asanuma
Paulo
P
D'Amora
Eduardo
E
Schor
Manoel J B C
MJ
Girão
D000328:Adult; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017792:Surgical Stapling