Port site endometrioma: a rare cause of abdominal wall pain following laparoscopic surgery

Insights Into Laparoscopic Port Site Complications: A Comprehensive Review

Laparoscopic surgery has become a widely accepted standard of care for numerous procedures in the modern world. Nearly every major surgical procedure previously only possible by employing open techniques may now be completed laparoscopically, attributable to the quick advancement of technology and surgeons' abilities. There are several complications associated with the laparoscopic port site, either infective, non-infective, or neoplastic. This study aims to explore the morbidity associated with the port site following laparoscopic surgery and discuss the risk factors for complications. The umbilical port was most frequently associated with port-site hernia (PSH), followed by the epigastrium and the left and right hypochondrium. Prolonged port manipulation and reinsertion, longer surgical times, failure to effectively close the fascial defect, and wound infection are responsible for the development of PSH. Port-site infection (PSI) is one avoidable adverse effect of laparoscopic surgery. Patients who have a history of diabetes, malnourishment, prolonged preoperative hospital stays, preoperative Staphylococcus aureus colonization of the nares, perioperative blood transfusions, and tobacco or steroid use are more likely to have PSI. Port-site hydatid cyst (PSHC) and port-site tuberculosis (PST) are rare but possible. While uncommon, a doctor should rule out endometriosis if a painful mass in the surgical scar, such as the trocar site, is discovered in a reproductive-age woman who has had pelvic or obstetric surgery in the past. Port-site metastasis (PSM) is the term for tumor-cell implantation at the trocar insertion site after a malignant tumor is removed laparoscopically. PSM has been reported in 1-2% of laparoscopic gynecologic surgical procedures. A few potential mechanisms for cell implantation at the port site include embolization of exfoliated cells during tumor dissection or hematogenous spread, air turbulence during long laparoscopic operations, and direct implantation onto the wound during forced, unprotected organ/tissue retrieval or from contaminated surgical instruments during tumor dissection. Nonetheless, the triggering mechanism is likely essentially multifaceted. Prevention is better than cure. Port-site hernia can be prevented using smaller trocars and meticulous rectus sheath defect closure at the end of surgery. The rest of the port site complications can be prevented by employing autoclavable laparoscopic hand instruments, utilizing autoclaved water to clean the instruments following disassembly, adhering to the recommended concentration, contact duration, and usage cycles when sterilizing instruments with liquid sterilizers, preventing bile or gut content from spilling into the operating room or the port site, using non-porous specimen retrieval bags for recovering the specimen, and thoroughly cleaning and irrigating the port site before closing the wound.

Cyclically bleeding trocar-site endometrioma without known history of endometriosis: case report and literature review

Endometriosis occurrence at a laparoscopic trocar-site incision is extremely rare with only 30 previous cases published. We present a 43-year-old female with surgical history of two cesarean sections and a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass who presented with history of cyclical bleeding from an umbilical mass coinciding with her menstrual cycle. Ultrasound demonstrated a complex solid and cystic lesion measuring 2.5 x 1.4 x 1.4 cm. This umbilical mass was surgically resected and gross examination perioperatively demonstrated dark-colored cystic implants consistent with endometrioma. Pathology confirmed the suspected diagnosis of endometriosis. There are several noteworthy characteristics in this unique case of laparoscopic trocar-site endometrioma. Umbilical bleeding is an unusual presenting symptom that has not been previously reported. This endometrioma occurred at the umbilical laparoscopic site rather than her Pfannenstiel incision. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has not been previously associated with trocar-site endometrioma. Of note, this patient had no known history of endometriosis.

Atypical vaginal location of endometriosis following repeated urogynaecological surgery

We outline a case of vaginal endometriosis in scar tissue located in the distal part of the anterior vaginal wall close to the urethra following repeated urogynaecological surgery. Our case presents a 45-year-old woman diagnosed with pelvic endometriosis in her youth. She underwent several vaginal surgeries due to pelvic organ prolapse, symptoms of stress incontinence and decreased urinary flow. One year after her most recent vaginal surgery, she developed a tender lump in the lower part of the anterior vaginal wall. A urethral diverticulum was suspected, but a diagnostic puncture and biopsy unexpectedly showed histologically verified endometriosis. As the cyst recurred, surgical excision of all visible endometriosis tissue was performed. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient remained without recurrence. This case illustrates the risk of atypical implantation of endometriosis related to repeated urogynaecological surgery and that treatment requires surgery with thorough removal of all visible tissues.

Extra-pelvic endometriosis: A review

BACKGROUND

Extra-pelvic endometriosis is a rare type of endometriosis, which occurs in a distant site from gynecological organs. The diagnosis of extra-pelvic endometriosis can be extremely challenging and may result in a delay in diagnosis. The main objective of this review was to characterize abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) and thoracic endometriosis (TE).

METHODS

The authors performed a literature search to provide an overview of AWE and TE, which are the major types of extra-pelvic endometriosis.

MAIN FINDINGS

Abdominal wall endometriosis includes scar endometriosis secondary to the surgical wound and spontaneous AWE, most of which occur in the umbilicus or groin. Surgical treatment appeared to be effective for AWE. Case reports indicated that the diagnosis and treatment of catamenial pneumothorax or endometriosis-related pneumothorax (CP/ERP) are challenging, and a combination of surgery and postoperative hormonal therapy is essential. Further, catamenial hemoptysis (CH) can be adequately managed by hormonal treatment, unlike CP/ERP.

CONCLUSION

Evidence-based approaches to diagnosis and treatment of extra-pelvic endometriosis remain immature given the low prevalence and limited quality of research available in the literature. To gain a better understanding of extra-pelvic endometriosis, it would be advisable to develop a registry involving a multidisciplinary collaboration with gynecologists, general surgeons, and thoracic surgeons.

Laparoscopic umbilical trocar port site endometriosis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Abdominal wall endometriosis can occur secondary to gynecological and obstetric pelvic laparotomy; however, this is a rare clinical event. There are few cases of endometriosis involving the incision site of a laparoscopic surgery, especially for those of the endometrial nodule at the umbilical trocar port site where the camera is placed.

CASE SUMMARY

We describe the case of a 37-year-old woman who presented with a 2-year history of a tough swelling below the umbilicus, which presented periodical pain during menstruation. The patient had undergone laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy 4 years prior, and we theorized that the umbilical nodule was a complication of that laparoscopic surgery. Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of abdominal umbilical scar endometriosis secondary to previous laparoscopic surgery. Surgical removal of the nodule followed by three cycles of leuprorelin was curative.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal mass and pain in women of childbearing age with a previous history of pelvic surgery should support consideration of endometriosis at the surgical site.

Recommendations for the surgical treatment of endometriosis Part 2: deep endometriosis †‡¶

STUDY QUESTION

How should surgery for endometriosis be performed?

SUMMARY ANSWER

This document provides recommendations covering technical aspects of different methods of surgery for deep endometriosis in women of reproductive age.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Endometriosis is highly prevalent and often associated with severe symptoms. Yet compared to equally prevalent conditions it is poorly understood and a challenge to manage. Previously published guidelines have provided recommendations for (surgical) treatment of deep endometriosis, based on the best available evidence, but without technical information and details on how to best perform such treatment in order to be effective and safe.

STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION

A working group of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE), European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and the World Endometriosis Society (WES) collaborated on writing recommendations on the practical aspects of surgery for treatment of deep endometriosis.

PARTICIPANTS MATERIALS SETTING METHODS

This document focused on surgery for deep endometriosis, and is complementary to a previous document in this series focusing on endometrioma surgery.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The document presents general recommendations for surgery for deep endometriosis, starting from preoperative assessments and first steps of surgery. Different approaches for surgical treatment are discussed and are respective of location and extent of disease; uterosacral ligaments and rectovaginal septum with or without involvement of the rectum, urinary tract or extrapelvic endometriosis. In addition, recommendations are provided on the treatment of frozen pelvis and on hysterectomy as a treatment for deep endometriosis.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

Owing to the limited evidence available, recommendations are mostly based on clinical expertise. Where available, references of relevant studies were added.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

These recommendations complement previous guidelines on management of endometriosis and the recommendations for surgical treatment of ovarian endometrioma.

STUDY FUNDING - COMPETING INTERESTS

The meetings of the working group were funded by ESGE, ESHRE and WES.Dr. Roman reports personal fees from ETHICON, PLASMASURGICAL, OLYMPUS, and NORDIC PHARMA, outside the submitted work; Dr. Becker reports grants from Bayer AG, Volition Rx, MDNA Life Sciences, and Roche Diagnostics Inc, and other relationships or activities from AbbVie Inc, and Myriad Inc, during the conduct of the study; Dr. Tomassetti reports non-financial support from ESHRE, during the conduct of the study; non-financial support and other from Lumenis, Gedeon-Richter, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, and Merck SA, outside the submitted work. The other authors had nothing to disclose.

Abdominal wall mass suspected of endometriosis: clinical and pathologic features

Objective

To evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics of lower anterior abdominal wall masses suspicious for endometriosis.

Methods

A retrospective review of 38 patients who underwent surgery for a lower anterior abdominal wall mass suspicious for endometriosis was performed. Those with skin and intraperitoneal masses, lipomas, hernias, and metastatic malignant masses were excluded. Patient age, body mass index, delivery history, dysmenorrhea, and mass size and location were analyzed.

Results

Thirty-seven (97.3%) patients had a relevant surgical history, including 35 (92.1%) with a history of cesarean section (C/S). Among the three patients with no history of C/S, 1 underwent total abdominal and another total laparoscopic hysterectomy, and 1 had no previous surgical history. The mean (±standard deviation) size of the abdominal masses was 3.2±1.2 cm. One patient developed a recurrent mass after excision of abdominal wall endometriosis. Trocar site endometrioma was found in one patient following total laparoscopic hysterectomy. According to the final pathology reports, endometriosis was found in 35 (92.1%) of patients. The remaining 3 patients (7.9%) had malignancy: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Before surgery, only 3 patients (7.9%) underwent fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the masses, which were all postoperatively confirmed to be pathologically benign.

Conclusion

Although most abdominal wall masses in the present sample were endometriosis occurring at the scar site from a previous operation, 7.9% of patients ultimately exhibited malignancy. Therefore, all patients with suspected anterior wall endometriosis should undergo preoperative biopsy to identify the few that will have an alternative diagnosis.

Recommendations for the surgical treatment of endometriosis. Part 2: deep endometriosis

STUDY QUESTION

How should surgery for endometriosis be performed?

SUMMARY ANSWER

This document provides recommendations covering technical aspects of different methods of surgery for deep endometriosis in women of reproductive age.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Endometriosis is highly prevalent and often associated with severe symptoms. Yet compared to equally prevalent conditions, it is poorly understood and a challenge to manage. Previously published guidelines have provided recommendations for (surgical) treatment of deep endometriosis, based on the best available evidence, but without technical information and details on how to best perform such treatment in order to be effective and safe.

STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION

A working group of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE), ESHRE and the World Endometriosis Society (WES) collaborated on writing recommendations on the practical aspects of surgery for treatment of deep endometriosis.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS

This document focused on surgery for deep endometriosis and is complementary to a previous document in this series focusing on endometrioma surgery.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The document presents general recommendations for surgery for deep endometriosis, starting from preoperative assessments and first steps of surgery. Different approaches for surgical treatment are discussed and are respective of location and extent of disease; uterosacral ligaments and rectovaginal septum with or without involvement of the rectum, urinary tract or extrapelvic endometriosis. In addition, recommendations are provided on the treatment of frozen pelvis and on hysterectomy as a treatment for deep endometriosis.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

Owing to the limited evidence available, recommendations are mostly based on clinical expertise. Where available, references of relevant studies were added.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

These recommendations complement previous guidelines on management of endometriosis and the recommendations for surgical treatment of ovarian endometrioma.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

The meetings of the working group were funded by ESGE, ESHRE and WES. Dr Roman reports personal fees from ETHICON, PLASMASURGICAL, OLYMPUS and NORDIC PHARMA, outside the submitted work; Dr Becker reports grants from Bayer AG, Volition Rx, MDNA Life Sciences and Roche Diagnostics Inc. and other relationships or activities from AbbVie Inc., and Myriad Inc, during the conduct of the study; Dr Tomassetti reports non-financial support from ESHRE, during the conduct of the study; and non-financial support and other were from Lumenis, Gedeon-Richter, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Merck SA, outside the submitted work. The other authors had nothing to disclose.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

na.