[Endometriosis and pelvic pain: epidemiological evidence of the relationship and implications]

Dienogest alone or dienogest combined with estrogens in the treatment of ovarian endometriomas, that is the question. A retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

to compare the effects of Dienogest 2 mg (D) alone or combined with estrogens (D + ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg, D + EE; D + estradiol valerate 1-3 mg, D + EV) in terms of symptoms and endometriotic lesions variations.

METHODS

This retrospective study included symptomatic patients in reproductive age with ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian endometriomas. Medical therapy for at least 12 months with D, D + EE or D + EV was required. Women were evaluated at baseline visit (V1) and after 6 (V2) and 12 months (V3) of therapy.

RESULTS

297 patients were enrolled (156 in the D group, 58 in the D + EE group, 83 in the D + EV group). Medical treatment leaded to a significant reduction in size of endometriomas after 12 months, with no differences between the three groups. When comparing D and D + EE/D + EV groups, a significant decrease of dysmenorrhea was detected in the D group than in D + EE/D + EV group. Conversely, the reduction of dysuria was more significative in the D + EE/D + EV groups rather than in the D group. Regarding tolerability, treatment associated side effects were reported by 16.2% patients. The most frequent one was uterine bleeding/spotting, significantly higher in the D + EV group.

CONCLUSION

Dienogest alone or associated with estrogens (EE/EV) seems to be equally effective in reducing endometriotic lesions mean diameter. The reduction of dysmenorrhea was more significative when D was administered alone, while dysuria seems to improve more when D is associated with estrogens.

The Utility of Rectal Water Contrast Transvaginal Ultrasound for Assessment of Deep Bowel Endometriosis

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity that infiltrates at least 5-mm deep below the peritoneal layer. Imagining examinations are the first-choice methods to detect DIE. The aim of this study is to assess whether rectal water contrast transvaginal sonography (RWC-TVS) can be a useful tool for the estimation of the size of deep bowel endometriotic nodules. This retrospective study includes 31 patients subjected to RWC-TVS who underwent surgery due to deep bowel endometriosis between January 2021 and December 2022. Nodule dimensions measured via ultrasound were compared to those of histopathological samples taken after surgery. In total, 52% of patients had endometriosis limited only to the intestines, 19% had endometriotic nodules located at uterosacral ligaments and posterior vaginal fornix, 6% at the anterior compartment, and 13% at a different location. Additionally, 6% of patients had nodules at more than two locations. In all but one case, the intestinal nodules could be seen on RWC-TVS images. The largest nodule dimension measured via RWC-TVS and the size of the equivalent histopathological sample correlated (R = 0.406, p = 0.03). Thus, RWC-TVS allows for the detection of DIE and moderate estimation of the nodule sizes and should be practiced during a diagnostic process.

Uterine Anteroposterior Diameter Measured by Transvaginal Sonography is a Predictor for Dysmenorrhea in Patients With and Without Endometriosis: A Pilot Study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between uterine diameters and menstrual abdominal pain intensity in patients with and without endometriosis (EM), and the independent influence of EM on the pain intensity.

METHODS

Uterine diameters and the diagnosis of adenomyosis were ascertained by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS). Menstrual abdominal pain intensity was estimated by visual analog scale (VAS). Linear regression was used to figure out the impact of uterine diameters and EM on the VAS scores. Logistic regression was used to calculate the correlation between uterine diameters and the diagnosis of adenomyosis. The cutoff values of uterine anteroposterior diameter (AD) to predict dysmenorrhea (VAS ≥ 4) and the diagnosis of adenomyosis were determined by receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

There were 220 patients with and 233 patients without EM included. Uterine AD independently correlated with the VAS scores in patients with (B = .230, P = .000) and without (B = .203, P = .000) EM. A uterine AD of 39.5 mm predicted dysmenorrhea in both groups. The presence of EM increased the VAS scores by 1.151 points when controlling for uterine diameters. Uterine AD also independently correlated with the diagnosis of adenomyosis under TVS in patients with (OR = 1.212, 95% CI = 1.130-1.301; P = .000) and without (OR = 1.192, 95% CI = 1.123-1.263; P = .000) EM. A uterine AD of 38.5 and 39.5 mm predicted the diagnosis of adenomyosis under TVS in patients with and without EM, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased uterine AD, which is probably ascribed to adenomyosis, plays an important role in augmented menstrual abdominal pain intensity. Meanwhile, the presence of EM reinforces the pain.

“A little monster inside me that comes out now and again”: endometriosis and pain in Austria

Abstract: The topics of endometriosis and pain imply far-reaching problems for women’s health. Using a qualitative research approach, this paper addresses the subjective experience and effects of pain, the methods for dealing with these issues, and the needs of affected women in Austria. Data were collected by problem-focused interviews conducted with ten women suffering from endometriosis, which were later transcribed and subjected to qualitative content analysis. Findings are therefore described using content-related categories. Results show that negative thoughts and feelings like fear, despair, and anger are associated with endometriosis and pain. Moreover, predominantly negative impacts and changes are found in various areas of life, such as the well-being and psyche of those affected, their attitude towards life in general, partnerships, social life, leisure time and work-life balance. In dealing with endometriosis and pain, both Western biomedicine and complementary medicine treatments are used. Support from one’s inner circle of friends and exchange and interaction with others affected by the disease are seen to be invaluable. Attending physicians as well as patients themselves and their private, social, and working environment should encourage open communication about endometriosis and the related pain.

Six-month follow-up of minimally invasive nerve-sparing complete excision of endometriosis: What about dyspareunia?

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess individual changes of deep dyspareunia (DDyspareunia) six months after laparoscopic nerve-sparing complete excision of endometriosis, with or without robotic assistance.

METHODS

This preplanned interdisciplinary observational study with a retrospective analysis of intervention enrolled 126 consecutive women who underwent surgery between January 2018 and September 2019 at a private specialized center. Demographics, medical history and surgery details were recorded systematically. DDyspareunia (primary outcome), dysmenorrhea and acyclic pelvic pain were assessed on self-reported 11-point numeric rating scales both preoperatively and at six-month follow-up. Cases with poor prognosis in relation to dyspareunia were described individually in greater detail.

RESULTS

Preoperative DDyspareunia showed weak correlation with dysmenorrhea (rho = .240; P = .014) and pelvic pain (rho = .260; P = .004). Although DDyspareunia improved significantly (P < .001) by 3 points or more in 75.8% (95%CI: 64.7-86.2) and disappeared totally in 59.7% of cases (95%CI:47.8-71.6), individual analysis identified different patterns of response. The probability of a preoperative moderate/severe DDyspareunia worsening more than 2 points was 4.8% (95%CI: 0.0-10.7) and the probability of a woman with no DDyspareunia developing "de novo" moderate or severe DDyspareunia was 7.7% (95%CI: 1.8-15.8) and 5.8% (95%CI: 0.0-13.0), respectively. In a qualitative analysis, several conditions were hypothesized to impact the post-operative DDyspareunia response; these included adenomyosis, mental health disorders, lack of hormone therapy after surgery, colporrhaphy, nodule excision in ENZIAN B compartment (uterosacral ligament/parametrium), the rectovaginal septum or the retrocervical region.

CONCLUSION

Endometriosis surgery provides significant improvement in DDyspareunia. However, patients should be alerted about the possibility of unsatisfactory results.

Endometriosis is a chronic systemic disease: clinical challenges and novel innovations

Endometriosis is a common disease affecting 5-10% of women of reproductive age globally. However, despite its prevalence, diagnosis is typically delayed by years, misdiagnosis is common, and delivery of effective therapy is prolonged. Identification and prompt treatment of endometriosis are essential and facilitated by accurate clinical diagnosis. Endometriosis is classically defined as a chronic, gynaecological disease characterised by endometrial-like tissue present outside of the uterus and is thought to arise by retrograde menstruation. However, this description is outdated and no longer reflects the true scope and manifestations of the disease. The clinical presentation is varied, the presence of pelvic lesions is heterogeneous, and the manifestations of the disease outside of the female reproductive tract remain poorly understood. Endometriosis is now considered a systemic disease rather than a disease predominantly affecting the pelvis. Endometriosis affects metabolism in liver and adipose tissue, leads to systemic inflammation, and alters gene expression in the brain that causes pain sensitisation and mood disorders. The full effect of the disease is not fully recognised and goes far beyond the pelvis. Recognition of the full scope of the disease will facilitate clinical diagnosis and allow for more comprehensive treatment than currently available. Progestins and low-dose oral contraceptives are unsuccessful in a third of symptomatic women globally, probably as a result of progesterone resistance. Oral gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists constitute an effective and tolerable therapeutic alternative when first-line medications do not work. The development of GnRH antagonists has resulted in oral drugs that have fewer side-effects than other therapies and has allowed for rapid movement between treatments to optimise and personalise endometriosis care. In this Review, we discuss the latest understanding of endometriosis as a systemic disease with multiple manifestations outside the parameters of classic gynaecological disease.

When and how should peritoneal endometriosis be operated on in order to improve fertility rates and symptoms? The experience and outcomes of nearly 100 cases

Purpose

To analyze the follow-up results of patients suffering from symptomatic early-stage endometriosis after a consistent laparoscopic peritoneal stripping of the altered peritoneum (peritoneal endometriosis and surrounding inflamed tissue) was performed. This type of endometriosis is resistant to medical therapy and/or impairs fertility.

Methods

Using our prospectively maintained database, we were able to identify all symptomatic women with the suspicion of only peritoneal endometriosis who underwent laparoscopy at our endometriosis center over a period of 5 years. All procedures were carried out in a standardized fashion by one single surgeon, who is highly experienced in minimal invasive surgery, and included a suspended hormonal pretreatment for 2 months. Postoperative outcomes including complications, fertility and recurrence rates were analysed.

Results

Laparoscopic peritonectomy was performed on 94 women. Follow-up data were available in 87% of these cases. At the time of surgery, almost all patients tested showed signs of stage I or II endometriosis (44.7 and 48.9%, respectively). More than three-quarters of the women reported pain relief, inter alia, due to the post-surgical hormonal therapy. About one-third of the patients wanted to have children after the procedure. 62% of them became pregnant and the majority did so without the need for assisted reproductive therapy. In seven women a re-operation was performed.

Conclusion

According to our data, a consistent excision of altered peritoneum followed by adjuvant hormonal therapy and multimodal concepts results in better outcomes for the patient, particularly in regards to pregnancy and recurrence rates.

Phytotherapy in endometriosis: an up-to-date review

Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease which symptoms can provide a severe impact on patient's quality of life with subsequent impact on psychological well-being. Different therapeutic strategies are available to treat this disease, such as surgery, hormonal therapies, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Nevertheless, the efficacy of conventional medical treatments is limited or intermittent in most of the patients due to the associated side effects. Therefore, a woman with endometriosis often search for additional and alternative options, and phytotherapy might be a promising alternative and complementary strategy. Different medicinal plants, multicomponent herbal preparations, and phytochemicals were investigated for pharmacological proprieties in endometriosis therapy. In most of the cases, the effect on endometriosis was related to phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids reporting anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory functions. Moreover, some phytochemicals have been related to a strong phytoestrogenic effect modulating the estrogen activity. Although promising, available evidence is based on in vitro and animal models of endometriosis with a limited number of well-performed clinical studies. There are almost none randomized control trials in this area. Therefore, properly constructed clinical trials are mandatory to achieve more conclusive results about the promising role of phytotherapy in the management of endometriosis.

Robotic Approach to Ureteral Endometriosis: Surgical Features and Perioperative Outcomes

Introduction: Surgical treatment of ureteral endometriosis is necessary to relieve urinary symptoms of obstruction and to preserve renal function. Which surgical approach to ureteral endometriosis should be considered the most appropriate is debated, due to the lack of scientific evidence. The aim of the present study is to assess the feasibility and to describe the perioperative outcomes of minimally invasive treatment of deep ureteral endometriosis using robotic assistance, highlighting the technical benefits and the limits of this approach.

Method: A case-series including 31 consecutive patients affected by high-stage endometriosis including ureteral endometriosis using robotic assistance in our Department between November 2011 and September 2017.

Results: All procedures were successfully completed by robotic technique, resulting in full excision of the parametrial nodules involving the ureter. Mean operating time was 184.8 ± 81 min. Mean hospital stay was 4.02 ± 3 days. Perioperative complications occurred in five patients and 4 out of 5 involved the urinary tract.

Conclusions: Robotic surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis of the ureter was feasible and allowed complete resection of ureteral nodules in all cases. No intraoperative complications arose, but a non-negligible rate of urinary tract complications was detected. This calls for a careful assessment of the benefits and specific risks associated with the use of robotic surgery for the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the ureter.

Dienogest Versus Leuprolide Acetate for Recurrent Pelvic Pain Following Laparoscopic Treatment of Endometriosis

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of dienogest (DNG) with depot leuprolide acetate (LA) in patients with recurrent pelvic pain following laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

Design

Prospective randomized trial.

Setting

Zagazig University hospitals, Egypt.

Patients

Two hundred and forty-two patients with recurrent pelvic pain following laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

Intervention

Dienogest (2 mg/day, orally) or depot LA (3.75 mg/4 weeks, intramuscularly) for 12 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures

A visual analogue scale was used to test the intensity of pain before and after the end of treatment.

Results

There was highly significant reduction in pelvic pain, back pain and dyspareunia in both groups with mean of difference in dienogest group (28.7 ± 5.3, 19.0 ± 4.3 and 20.0 ± 3.08 mm, respectively) and in LA group (26.2 ± 3.01, 19.5 ± 3.01 and 17.9 ± 2.9 mm, respectively). The most frequent drug-related adverse effects in dienogest group were vaginal bleeding and weight gain (64.5 and 10.8%, respectively) which were significantly higher than LA group (21.5 and 3.3%, respectively). While the most frequent drug-related adverse effects in LA group were hot flushes and vaginal dryness (46.3 and 15.7%, respectively) which were significantly higher than dienogest group (15.7 and 3.3%, respectively).

Conclusion

Daily dienogest is as effective as depot LA for relieving endometriosis-associated pelvic pain, low back pain and dyspareunia. In addition, dienogest has acceptable safety, tolerability and lower incidence of hot flushes. Thus, it may offer an effective and well-tolerated treatment in endometriosis.

[Conventional analgesics and non-pharmacological multidisciplinary therapeutic treatment in endometriosis: CNGOF-HAS Endometriosis Guidelines]

A major symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain with a wide range of intensity, rhythm, type, and expression, without clearly established relationship between pain and the disease. Endometriosis-associated pain has physical, psychological/behavioral and social consequences with a significant impact on patient quality-of-life in relation with the biopsychosocial model of chronic pain. Pain assessment in all of its dimensions, as well as assessing the consequences of pain is therefore a crucial part of therapeutic management. Conventional analgesics are commonly used although studies demonstrating their efficacy in the treatment of endometriosis-related pelvic pain are lacking. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), known to be effective in dysmenorrhea unrelated to endometriosis, have not been recently re-assessed in patients with endometriosis. Following rigorous assessment, the characterization of neuropathic components of endometriosis-related pelvic pain may lead to treatment with antiepileptic of antidepressant drugs, although gabapentin and amitriptyline have yet to be specifically assessed in the setting of endometriosis-related pain. Other pharmacologically active compounds have been tested to treat endometriosis-related pain but did not demonstrate efficacy with sufficient level of evidence. Diets, dietary supplements and herbal medicine are often proposed and/or used as adjuncts without any conclusive evidence. Although the effects on endometriosis-related pain are methodologically difficult to assess, physical adjunctive therapies such as acupuncture, transcutaneous neurostimulation, osteopathy/chiropractics, physical therapy and physical activity, the long-term therapeutic relationship they establish may potentiate beneficial effects perceived by patients. However, it remains difficult to demonstrate significant effects of cognitive and/or behavioral interventions on endometriosis-related pain.

CONCLUSION

The complexity of managing endometriosis-related pain requires a holistic approach with sustained attention to the patient. Treatments, either pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic, including adjuvant therapies, associate a technical expertise to which a human approach must be added in order to bring value to these treatments. Multidisciplinary and/or inter disciplinary approaches are therefore essential to the care of patients suffering from endometriosis.

Urinary Tract Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a multifactorial polygenic genetic disorder that affects 10–20% of women. The urinary tract is affected in only 1–5% of cases and here most commonly the urinary bladder. Diagnosis of urinary tract endometriosis is made late due to its commonly asymptomatic course. The management of urinary tract endometriosis depends on the severity of the symptoms and signs, the extent of the disease, its location and the presence of renal damage because of ureteral obstruction. A conservative medical treatment is recommended for small areas of endometriosis in the bladder. For urinary tract endometriosis covering a large area, or where infiltration causes architectural damage, surgery is recommended. Partial cystectomy should be considered because of the transmural nature of bladder endometriosis. In cases of ureteral endometriosis, the surgical technique is determined by the location and extent of the lesion. For the distal ureter an ureterocystoneostomy using the Psoas hitch or Boari flap is recommended. For short, proximal ureteral involvement an end-to-end anastomosis or endoscopic incision may be used, and for extended areas, ileum interposition or kidney mobilization using nephropexy. A multidisciplinary approach is strongly recommended. Endometriosis with urological involvement more often needs surgical treatment, especially when ureteral obstruction leads to progressive kidney damage.

Colorectal resection in deep pelvic endometriosis: Surgical technique and post-operative complications

AIM: To investigate the impact of different surgical techniques on post-operative complications after colorectal resection for endometriosis.

METHODS: A multicenter case-controlled study using the prospectively collected data of 90 women (22 with and 68 without post-operative complications) who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection for endometriosis was designed to evaluate any risk factors of post-operative complications. The prospectively collected data included: gender, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists risk class, endometriosis localization (from anal verge), operative time, conversion, intraoperative complications, and post-operative surgical complications such as anastomotic dehiscence, bleeding, infection, and bowel dysfunction.

RESULTS: A similar number of complicated cases have been registered for the different surgical techniques evaluated (laparoscopy, single access, flexure mobilization, mesenteric artery ligation, and transvaginal specimen extraction). A multivariate regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for major clinical, demographic, and surgical characteristics, complicated cases were only associated with endometriosis localization from the anal verge (OR = 0.8, 95%CI: 0.74-0.98, P = 0.03). After analyzing the association of post-operative complications and each different surgical technique, we found that only bowel dysfunction after surgery was associated with mesenteric artery ligation (11 out of 44 dysfunctions in the mesenteric artery ligation group vs 2 out of 36 cases in the no mesenteric artery ligation group; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: Although further randomized clinical trials are needed to give a definitive conclusion, laparoscopic colorectal resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis appears to be both feasible and safe. Surgical technique cannot be considered a risk factor of post-operative complications.

Treatment efficacy for pain complaints in women with endometriosis of the lesser pelvis after laparoscopic electroablation vs. CO2 laser ablation

Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting mainly women of the reproductive age. Its most common manifestations include impaired fecundity, pelvic pain, and dyschezia. Laparoscopic removal of endometriotic foci remains to be the gold standard for the treatment of endometriosis. More effective techniques of endoscopic approach—among others, laser application—are continually being developed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic treatment with the use of CO₂ laser ablation vs. electroablation with regard to pain complaints in the affected patients. The study included 48 women (aged 22–42) with varying degrees of endometriosis of the lesser pelvis. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain intensity before the surgery in all patients, followed by either laser ablation or electroablation of the endometriotic foci. The results of the laparoscopic treatment were monitored after 3 and 6 months postoperatively. p value of 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Patients from both groups reported less intensive pain before/during menstruation (dysmenorrhea) 6 months postoperatively, with more distinct tendency in the electroablation group (p = 0.004) as compared to the laser ablation group (p = 0.025). Despite the initial improvement reported at the 3-month checkup (p = 0.008), 6 months postoperatively, a statistically significant increase in pain intensity was noted in both groups (p = 0.016 and p = 0.032 for CO₂ laser ablation and electroablation, respectively). Both surgical methods seem to be effective only in the treatment of endometriosis-related dysmenorrhea, whereas the intensity of other pain complaints (dyspareunia, dysuria, dyschezia, pelvic pain syndrome (PPS)) has remained on the same level.

Diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes of rectovaginal endometriosis

Rectovaginal endometriosis is the most severe form of endometriosis. Clinically, it presents with a number of symptoms including chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, dyschezia, and rectal bleeding. The gold standard for diagnosis is laparoscopy with histological confirmation; however, there are a number of options for presurgical diagnosis, including clinical examination, transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imagining, colonoscopy, and computed tomography colonography. Treatment can be medical or surgical. Medical therapies include birth control pills, oral progestins, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, danazol, and injectable progestins. Analgesics are often used as well. Surgery improves up to 70% of symptoms. Surgery is either ablative or excisional, and is conducted via transvaginal, laparoscopic, laparotomy, or combined approaches. Common surgical techniques involve shaving of the superficial rectal lesion, laparoscopic anterior discoid resection, and low anterior bowel resection and reanastomosis. Outcomes are generally favorable, but postoperative complications may include intra-abdominal bleeding, anastomotic leaks, rectovaginal fistulas, strictures, chronic constipation, and the need for reoperation. Recurrence of rectal endometriosis is a possibility as well. Other outcomes are improved pain-related symptoms and fertility. Long-term outcomes vary according to the management strategy used. This review will provide the most recent approaches and techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis.

Interplay between Misplaced Müllerian-Derived Stem Cells and Peritoneal Immune Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

In the genetic regulation of Müllerian structures development, a key role is played by Hoxa and Wnt clusters, because they lead the transcription of different genes according to the different phases of the organogenesis, addressing correctly cell-to-cell interactions, allowing, finally, the physiologic morphogenesis. Accumulating evidence is suggesting that dysregulation of Wnt and/or Hox genes may affect cell migration during organogenesis and differentiation of Müllerian structures of the female reproductive tract, with possible dislocation and dissemination of primordial endometrial stem cells in ectopic regions, which have high plasticity to differentiation. We hypothesize that during postpubertal age, under the influence of different stimuli, these misplaced and quiescent ectopic endometrial cells could acquire new phenotype, biological functions, and immunogenicity. So, these kinds of cells may differentiate, specializing in epithelium, glands, and stroma to form a functional ectopic endometrial tissue. This may provoke a breakdown in the peritoneal cavity homeostasis, with the consequent processes of immune alteration, documented by peripheral mononuclear cells recruitment and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in early phases and of angiogenic and fibrogenic cytokines in the late stages of the disease.

Chronic pelvic pain in endometriosis: an overview

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) could be considered nowadays a deep health problem that challenges physicians all over the world. This because its aetiology is still unclear, the course of the disease could vary a lot among different patients and through time in the same patient, and the response to treatments is not every time successful. Among women who underwent laparoscopy for CPP, endometriosis is found in about 1/3 of the cases, while only 25% of women with histological confirmed endometriosis are asymptomatic. A wide range of variables may exert their influence on the resulting pain syndrome in endometriosis; for example, score according to American society for reproductive medicine (rASRM), size of the sub-peritoneal and pelvic wall implants, Douglas obliteration, previous surgery. It is widely accepted nowadays that central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) seems to influence each other and this interconnection play a key role in pain modulation. Moreover, the phenomena induced by endometriosis in the pelvis, including the breakdown of peritoneal homeostasis and the induction of the production of proinflammatory and proangiogenic cytokines, are responsible of altered innervations and modulation of pain pathways in these patients. There are many proposed medical and surgical approach to treat this painful syndrome, although there is necessity of more efforts to create new non-invasive strategies that set a more accurate diagnosis of the causes of endometriotic-related CPP, and therefore facilitate its eradication.

[Uterosacral ligament and hypogastric nerve anatomical relationship. Application to deep endometriotic nodules surgery]

Endometriosis is a concern for 10 to 15% of women of childbearing age. The uterosacral ligament is the most frequent localization of deep infiltrating endometriosis. Laparoscopic excision of endometriotic nodules may lead to functional consequences due to potential hypogastric nerve lesion. Our aim is to study the anatomical relationship between the hypogastric nerve and the uterosacral ligament in order to reduce the occurrence of such nerve lesions during pelvic surgeries. We based our study on an anatomical and surgical literature review and on the anatomical dissection of a 56-year-old fresh female subject. The hypogastric nerves cross the uterosacral ligament approximately 30mm from the torus. They go through the pararectal space, 20mm below the ureter and join the inferior hypogastric plexus at the level of the intersection between the ureter and the posterior wall of the uterine artery, at approximately 20mm from the torus. No anatomical variation has been described to date in the path of the nerve, but in its presentation which may be polymorphous. Laparoscopy and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery facilitate the pelvic nerves visualization and are the best approach for uterosacral endometriotic nodule nerve-sparing excision. Precise knowledge by the surgeon of the anatomical relationship between the hypogastric nerve and the uterosacral ligament is essential in order to decrease the risk of complication and postoperative morbidity for patient surgically treated for deep infiltrating endometriosis involving uterosacral ligament.

Visual pain mapping in endometriosis

PURPOSE

To construct pain maps in order to describe the distribution of pelvic pain in a group of endometriosis patients and endometriosis-free patients, to assess the feasibility of this method.

METHODS

A total of 159 patients with pelvic pain who were scheduled for diagnostic laparoscopy.

RESULTS

A total of 117 patients with and 42 patients without endometriosis were included. The pain distribution between these two patient groups appeared to differ in some peripheral anatomical structures. In the endometriosis patients, the pain was most frequently located in the rectouterine pouch.

CONCLUSIONS

In endometriosis patients, pain mapping to assess preoperative pain sensations relative to the anatomic location of endometriotic lesions is feasible. The pain provoked by vaginal examination is frequently perceived as median relative to the actual anatomic location of the endometriotic lesions. Several anatomic and neurophysiological factors may explain this phenomenon.

Urinary dysfunction after colorectal resection for endometriosis: results of a prospective randomized trial comparing laparoscopy to open surgery

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate urinary symptoms before and after colorectal resection for endometriosis using validated questionnaires.

STUDY DESIGN

We randomly assigned 52 patients with colorectal endometriosis to undergo laparoscopically assisted or open colorectal resection. The median follow-up was 19 months. Urinary symptoms were evaluated using the International Prostate Score Symptom and the Bristol Female Low Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaires.

RESULTS

Dysuria was observed in 29% of cases postoperatively. Using Bristol Female Low Urinary Tract Symptoms and International Prostate Score Symptom scores, an alteration was observed for voiding symptoms (P = .01 and P = .006, respectively). No difference was observed between the laparoscopy and the open surgery group. An alteration of the International Prostate Score Symptom voiding symptoms was observed in the group that did not undergo nerve sparing surgery (P = .048). An alteration of the International Prostate Score Symptom voiding symptoms was observed for patients who underwent vaginal resection (P = .01) and parametrial resection (P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Our findings confirm that colorectal resection for endometriosis is a source of urinary dysfunction whatever the surgical route.

Dyspareunia: a complex problem requiring a selective approach

Dyspareunia frequently has a multifactorial aetiology. The problem with the term is that it is not specific enough and does not allow for proper discussion of the very important problem of pain with sexual intercourse, a problem that can be very disturbing to a couple's relationship. We present two cases of patients who had multiple potential anatomic reasons for dyspareunia. The clinical picture, treatment strategy and the complex nature of deep penetration pain was discussed. We also proposed a new way of defining dyspareunia to allow a more adequate way of studying and discussing the problem.