Long‐term follow‐up and recurrence rate after mesorectum‐sparing bowel resection among women with rectovaginal endometriosis. Issue 3 (11th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mangler, Mandy; Herbstleb, Julia; Mechsner, Sylvia; Bartley, Julia; Schneider, Achim; Köhler, Christhardt
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 125:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 266
• Page End: 269
• Publication Date: 2014-03-11
• Subjects: Bowel endometriosis -- Histopathology in endometriosis -- Nerve‐sparing operative therapy in endometriosis -- Rectovaginal endometriosis; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.12.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To demonstrate the quality of a combined vaginal–abdominal surgical approach to rectovaginal endometriosis by analyzing long‐term outcome and recurrence rates. Methods: In a prospective cohort study in Berlin, Germany, women with endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum were enrolled between September 2004 and December 2012. Bowel infiltration was verified intraoperatively and treated by a nerve‐sparing, mesentery‐preserving vaginal–abdominal operative approach. Operative results were evaluated by assessing short‐ and long‐term complications and recurrence rates. Results: During the study period, 110 women underwent surgery. For 71 (64.5%) patients, bowel infiltration was confirmed intraoperatively. Overall, 15% of the patients had peri‐ or postoperative complications. No long‐term complications occurred. After a median follow‐up of 64 months, no recurrence in the rectovaginal septum was observed among the study patients. The recurrence of pelvic endometriosis was 15%. Conclusion: The surgical nerve‐sparing approach to rectovaginal endometriosis was confirmed to facilitate precise diagnosis and treatment with minimal morbidity and a long‐term complication rate of 0%.