Evolution of bowel complaints after laparoscopy endometriosis surgery: a 1497 women comparative study

Gastrointestinal function and pain outcomes following segmental resection or discoid resection for low rectal endometriosis

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to examine the effect of full thickness discoid resection (FTDR) and modified, limited nerve-vessel sparing segmental bowel resection (NVSSR) in symptomatic patients with low rectal deep endometriosis (DE) within 7 cm from the anal verge.  Presurgical and postsurgical evaluation of gastrointestinal (GI) function reflected by low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and gastrointestinal function-related quality of life index (GIQLI) scores, complication rates, pain scores/visual analog scale (VAS) and endometriosis health profile (EHP-30) was performed.

METHODS

In this prospective multicenter cohort study, 63 premenopausal patients with symptomatic low (within 7 cm from the anal verge) colorectal endometriosis, undergoing low modified limited nerve vessel sparing rectal segmental bowel resection (NVSSR) and full thickness discoid resection (FTDR) were evaluated. Presurgery and postsurgery lower anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores, gastrointestinal function-related quality of life index (GIQLI), pain symptoms, endometriosis health profile (EHP-30) parameters compared between two groups.

RESULTS

Out of 63 women, 49 (77.8%) underwent NVSSR while 14 (22.2%) underwent FTDR. LARS-like symptoms were observed presurgically in 24/63 (38.1%) patients. Postsurgical LARS was observed in 14/63 (22.2%) of the patients (10/49, 20.4% in NVSSR vs. 4/14, 28.5% in the FTDR group). The LARS-like symptoms significantly decreased following surgery in the FTDR group (p = 0.049) and showed a trend for decrease in the NVSSR group (p = 0.077). Postsurgical de novo LARS was only observed in 5/63 (8%) of the patients (NVSSR 4/49, 8.1%, FTDR 1/14, 7.1%). Postsurgical GIQLI scores improved in both groups (p < 0.001) with comparable changes in the NVSSR and FTDR cohorts (p = 0.490). Postoperative grade III complication rates between NVSSR and FTDR did not vary significantly (6/49, 12.2% vs. 3/14, 21.4% p = 0.26). Pain/VAS scores and EHP-30 scores significantly decreased after a mean follow-up of 29.6 ± 11 months and 30.6 ± 11 months in the NVSSR and FTDR groups, respectively (EHP-30; p < 0.001; dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia all p < 0.05 for both cohorts).

DISCUSSION

When comparing low colorectal surgery by either NVSSR or FTDR in a high-risk group for surgical complications, both techniques confer improvement of GI function reflected by LARS and GIQLI with non-significant differences in major complication rates, reduced pain and EHP-30 scores.

Surgical treatment of colorectal endometriosis: an updated review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to summarize recent literature on the surgical treatment of colorectal endometriosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

The last decade has seen a surge in the number of studies on bowel endometriosis, with a focus on preoperative evaluation, perioperative management, surgical approach, and surgical outcomes. Many of these studies have originated from large-volume referral centers with varying surgical approaches and philosophies. Colorectal surgery for endometriosis seems to have a positive impact on patient symptoms, quality of life, and fertility. However, these benefits must be weighed against a significant risk of postoperative complications and the potential for long-term bowel or bladder dysfunction, especially for more radical procedures involving the lower rectum. Importantly, most studies regarding surgical technique and outcomes have been limited by their observational design.

SUMMARY

The surgical management of bowel endometriosis is complex and should be approached by a multidisciplinary team. Methodical preoperative evaluation, including appropriate imaging, is vital for surgical planning and patient counseling. The decision to perform a more conservative or radical excision is nuanced and remains an area of controversy. High quality studies in the form of multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed before clear recommendations can be made.

To drain or not to drain: A propensity score analysis of abdominal drainage after colorectal surgery for endometriosis

AIM

To assess the benefit of prophylactic abdominal drainage (AD) after colorectal surgery for endometriosis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 215 patients who underwent colorectal surgery for endometriosis using a mini-invasive approach in our center from February 2019 to July 2023. A propensity score matched (PSM) analysis (1:1 ratio) identified two groups of patients with similar characteristics. Postoperative outcomes were then compared.

RESULTS

In the unmatched cohort, 151 patients (70 %) had AD at the end of surgery and 64 (30 %) did not. Clinical characteristics and surgical procedures were comparable between the groups after PSM. After PSM, AD was associated with a longer hospital stay (p < 0.001) and a greater number of postoperative complications (p = 0.03). There were no differences for readmission, repeat surgery, or severe postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective cohort of patients undergoing colorectal resection for endometriosis using a mini-invasive approach, prophylactic AD was not found to be beneficial.

Diaphragm endometriosis: Random localization or extended form of pelvis endometriosis. A large comparative analysis of 202 cases

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate and present the clinical characteristics of diaphragm endometriosis, to approach the pathogenetic mechanisms, and to answer the question of whether this disease can be considered an extended form of pelvic endometriosis.

STUDY DESIGN

It was a retrospective comparative one-to-one analysis of 202 cases. Two groups of patients were compared: Group 1 patients with diaphragm endometriosis vs Group 2 (control group) with pelvis endometriosis, each with 101 patients.

RESULTS

Patients with diaphragm endometriosis had extreme significantly higher prevalence of severe pelvis endometriosis included deep infiltrated endometriosis and severe adhesions in term of complete Douglas obliteration (p value = 0.0001). There was neither age nor BMI difference in two groups. Besides of cyclic shoulder or upper abdomen pain there was no difference of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Diaphragm endometriosis is a rare condition with an approximate prevalence of 1.1% of all endometriosis cases. Since the symptoms are very specific and patients do not associate the pain with diaphragmatic endometriosis, the symptoms should be asked about explicitly. If patients with diaphragmatic endometriosis have no symptoms, the lesions do not necessarily need to be removed. The pathogenesis is still unclear. The authors of this study consider this disease to be an extended form of severe pelvic and deep infiltrated endometriosis. However, the right-side dominance still cannot be explained. Further research is needed to fully understand the origin of diaphragmatic endometriosis.

The Beaumont behavioral intervention in a Chinese amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cohort

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of behavior impairment (27.38%) in the Chinese amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cohort is lower. We hypothesize that the screening scales used among studies might not be appropriate to diagnose behavioral disorders in ALS patients. So, we urgently need to find a behavior scale with a high detection rate designed specifically for ALS. This study aims to verify the Chinese translation of the Beaumont Behavioral Inventory (BBI) as an effective assessment in a Chinese ALS cohort.

METHODS

Ninety-eighty ALS patients and ninety-three healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. All participants took emotional state, overall cognitive, sleep quality and gastroenteric function, and behavioral evaluation.

RESULTS

The BBI scores showed a strong association with the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-Frontotemporal Dementia-Questionnaire (ALS-FTD-Q) (rs = 0.71, p < 0.001) as well as a moderate correlation with the Frontal Behavioral Inventory (FBI) (rs = 0.55, p < 0.001). High internal consistency was demonstrated in patients using BBI-after items (Cronbach's a = 0.89). When tested against clinical diagnoses, the optimal cutoff of total BBI score was identified at 5.5 (AUC = 0.95; SE = 0.02; 95% CI [0.91, 0.99]), the BBI reached optimal sensitivity and specificity values (91.5% and 87.2%). The BBI turned out to be more precise than the FBI (AUC = 0.76; SE = 0.05; 95% CI [0.66, 0.86]) and the ALS-FTD-Q (AUC = 0.84; SE = 0.04; 95% CI [0.77, 0.92]).

CONCLUSION

The Chinese version of BBI is a quicker and more efficient instrument for assessing behavioral impairment in the ALS population in China.

Endometriosis with colonic and rectal involvement: surgical approach and outcomes in 142 patients

PURPOSE

Endometriosis involving the colon and/or rectum (CRE) is operatively managed using various methods. We aimed to determine if a more limited excision is associated with 30-day complications, symptom improvement, and/or recurrence.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of consecutive cases of patients who underwent surgical management of CRE between 2010 and 2018. Primary outcomes were the associations between risk factors and symptom improvement, 30-day complications, and time to recurrence. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the independent risk factors.

RESULTS

Of 2681 endometriosis cases, 142 [5.3% of total, mean age 35.4 (31.0; 39.0) years, 73.9% stage IV] underwent CRE excision (superficial partial = 66.9%, segmental = 27.5%, full thickness = 1.41%). Minor complications (14.8%) were associated with blood loss [150 (112; 288) vs. 100 (50.0; 200) mls, p = 0.046], Sigmoid involvement [45.5% vs. 12.2%, HR 5.89 (1.4; 22.5), p = 0.01], stoma formation [52.6% vs. 8.9%, HR 10.9 (3.65; 34.1), p < 0.001], and segmental resection [38.5% vs. 5.8%, HR 9.75 (3.54; 30.4), p < 0.001]. Superficial, partial-thickness resections were associated with decreased risk [(4.2% vs. 36.2%), HR 0.08 (0.02; 0.24), p < 0.001]. Factors associated with major complications (8.5%) were blood loss [250 (100; 400) vs. 100 (50.0; 200) mls, p = 0.03], open surgery [31.6% vs. 4.9%, HR 8.74 (2.36; 32.9), p = 0.001], stoma formation [42% vs. 3.3%, HR 20.3 (5.41; 90.0), p < 0.001], and segmental colectomy [28.2% vs. 0.9%, HR 34.6 (6.25; 876), p < 0.001]. Partial-thickness resection was associated with decreased risk ([.05% vs. 23.4%, HR 8.74 (2.36; 32.9), p < 0.001]. 19.1% experienced recurrence. Open surgery [5.2% vs. 21.3%, HR 0.14 (0.02; 1.05), p = 0.027] and superficial partial thickness excision [23.4% vs. 10.6%, HR 2.86 (1.08; 7.59), p = 0.027] were associated. Segmental resection was associated with decreased recurrence risk [7.6% vs. 23.5%, HR 0.27 (0.08; 0.91), p = 0.024].

CONCLUSION

Limiting resection to partial-thickness or full-thickness disc excision compared to bowel resection may improve complications but increase recurrence risk.