title: Conservative approach to rectosigmoid endometriosis: a cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to assess the risk of surgery after initial conservative treatment of rectosigmoid endometriosis in relation to demographic data.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted on the tertiary endometriosis referral unit, Aarhus University Hospital. Medical records, from patients seen from January 2009 onwards with a diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis and more than 6 months' follow up were audited. Demographic data, results of magnetic resonance imaging and time to secondary surgery for rectosigmoid endometriosis were registered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data on 238 patients diagnosed with rectosigmoid endometriosis were included. In all, 78 (32.8%) patients had primary surgery, 27 (11.3%) had secondary surgery and 133 (55.9%) continued conservative treatment throughout the observation period. Patients who underwent primary or secondary surgery were younger than patients continuing conservative treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a tertiary referral center where about half of patients with rectosigmoid endometriosis were scheduled for conservative treatment, more than 80% of these avoided surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anne G
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8346-932X
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Egekvist
authors.affiliation: The MR Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Edvard
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4279-7188
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marinovskij
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forman
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Herlev and Gentofte University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.|Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ulrik S
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3868-106X
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Kesmodel
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riiskjaer
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Mikkel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seyer-Hansen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000072700:Conservative Treatment; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Endometriosis; deeply infiltrating endometriosis; laparoscopy; medical treatment; rectosigmoid endometriosis; surgery