Bowel Endometriosis Excision: Approaches and Outcomes Including Hand Sewing of Discoid Excision.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the outcomes of surgery performed for bowel endometriosis including shaving, discoid resections with hand-sewn closure, and segmental resection. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Large academic hospital. PATIENTS: All patients with bowel wall endometriosis who underwent surgical excision with the Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery between 2009 and 2022. INTERVENTIONS: No interventions administered. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From 2009 to 2022, a total of 112 patients underwent laparoscopic excision of endometriosis involving the rectum. From this cohort, 82 underwent shaving, 23 underwent discoid excision, and 7 had segmental bowel resection. The discoid excisions were closed in multiple layers with hand sewing and were not closed with a staple device. Average lesion size on preoperative imaging was 20.9 mm in the shave group, 22.5 mm in the discoid group, and 38.5 mm in the segmental group. Complication requiring reoperation for anastomotic leak occurred in 3 cases (3.66%) of the shave group and 1 case (4.35%) of the discoid excision group, but did not occur in any of the segmental resections. The number of layers of closure and type of suture used did not appear to have an effect on complication rate, however, this study was not powered to detect a meaningful difference. CONCLUSION: Our data shows a similar rate of anastomotic leak complication for each closure type as that reported in the literature (2.2%, 9.7%, and 9.9% reported for shave, discoid and segmental resection, respectively). While our study is underpowered, these findings support that hand sewing for discoid excision is a safe and reasonable alternative to circular stapler closures and can be considered with an experienced surgeon. Further study is warranted to confirm safety and explore potential cost savings associated with this technique as well as applications in areas with less resources available.

Pain, gastrointestinal function and fertility outcomes of modified nerve-vessel sparing segmental and full thickness discoid resection for deep colorectal endometriosis - A prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: There is an ongoing debate on surgical techniques for colorectal deep endometriosis (DE) and their effects on gastrointestinal (GI) function. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the differences in pre- and postsurgical GI function, health profiles and pain symptoms in women undergoing colorectal surgery for symptomatic DE either with a modified segmental resection technique, so-called nerve-vessel sparing segmental resection (NVSSR), or full thickness discoid resection (FTDR). Complication rates and fertility outcomes were also evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 162 consecutive patients, 125 (77.2%) of whom underwent NVSSR and 37 (22.8%) FTDR, were evaluated regarding complication rates. Furthermore a lower anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores, gastrointestinal function-related quality of life index (GIQLI), pain symptoms, endometriosis health profile (EHP-30) parameters were analyzed pre- and post-surgery in a final cohort of 121 patients. RESULTS: There was no difference between postsurgical prevalence of LARS in either surgery group (14/98, 14.1% NVSSR; 2/23, 8.6% FTDR), with significantly decreased LARS scores and increased GIQLI values before vs after surgery in both groups (P < 0.001). The overall grade III complication rate was 7/162 (4.3%) with no significant differences between NVSSR and FTDR groups. Overall, EHP-30 and pain scores significantly decreased after a median follow-up of 41 (± 17.6) months (EHP-30 51.1, SD 21.5 vs 12.7, SD 19.3, P < 0.001; dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia all P < 0.001 both cohorts, respectively). The overall life birth rate and postsurgical pregnancy in infertile patients undergoing NVSSR and FTDR was respectively 58.1% in 25/43 patients; 55.6% in 5/9 patients; 56.0% in 14/25 patients and 100% in 5/5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: NVSSR and FTDR for symptomatic colorectal DE confer a significant amelioration of GI function reflected by decreased LARS symptoms and increased GIQLI scores with no differences in postsurgical function in between the two techniques. Both techniques confer similar complication rates and effects on pain reduction and health profiles.

Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography after Full-thickness Bowel Resection for Rectosigmoid Endometriosis-A Feasibility Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate feasibility of near-infrared (NIR)-indocyanine green (ICG) imaging for bowel vascularization assessment after full-thickness bowel resection for rectosigmoid endometriosis (RSE). DESIGN: This is a prospective, single-center, preliminary study on consecutive patients who were symptomatic submitted to discoid or segmental resection for RSE and NIR-ICG evaluation for vascular assessment of the anastomotic line from May 2018 to January 2020. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-two women with RSE meeting eligibility criteria were included for study analysis. INTERVENTIONS: NIR-ICG evaluation of anastomotic line vascularization after RSE removal. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fluorescence degree of the anastomotic line was assessed with a 0 to 2 Likert scale, as follows: 0 or "absent" (no fluorescence observed), 1 or "irregular" (not uniform distribution or weak fluorescence), and 2 or "regular" (uniform distribution of fluorescence and similar to the proximal colon). In all the patients included in the study (100%), NIR-ICG imaging allowed the evaluation of fluorescence degree of the anastomotic line. No adverse reaction related to ICG use was recorded. The protocol did not greatly lengthen operating time (median, 4 [range, 3-5] minutes). Excellent interoperator agreement was observed. Most of the patients (31 of 32, 96.9%) showed regular fluorescence on the anastomotic line; in 1 patient with irregular fluorescence at NIR-ICG after discoid excision, the anastomotic suture was reinforced through interrupted stitches. We had 1 case of anastomotic leakage after segmental resection with intraoperative good fluorescence at NIR-ICG evaluation. CONCLUSION: NIR-ICG imaging for anastomotic perfusion assessment after discoid or segmental resection for RSE seems to be a feasible, safe, and reproducible method.

Feasibility, Complications, and Recurrence after Discoid Resection for Colorectal Endometriosis: A Series of 93 Cases.

Laparoscopic discoid colorectal resection is a surgical option for bowel endometriosis, 1 of the most severe forms of endometriosis. However, no study has clearly analyzed the feasibility or the complication and recurrence rates of the procedure in a homogeneous population with specific criteria for discoid resection. The aims of this study were to evaluate the rate of conversion to segmental resection, the need for double discoid resection, and the complication and recurrence rates. We conducted a prospective study of 93 consecutive patients who underwent discoid resection in Tenon University Hospital, Paris, France. The median follow-up was 20 months. We included patients with colorectal endometriosis (≤3 cm long and <90° of bowel circumference) experiencing failure of medical treatment or associated infertility. All the patients underwent a discoid colorectal resection using a transanal circular stapler. The primary end point was the rate of conversion to segmental resection (3.2%). The secondary end point was the rate of double discoid resection (6.5%). The overall complication rate was 24%, and the severe complication rate (i.e., Clavien-Dindo IIIB) was 3% (n = 4). Postoperative voiding dysfunction requiring bladder self-catheterization was observed in 16% (n = 15). The mean duration of bladder self-catherization was 30 days (range, 15-90) including 11 cases (74%) lasting less than 30 days and 4 cases lasting more than 30 days. No patients required bladder self-catheterization over 3 months. No difference in the complication rate or in voiding dysfunction was observed between double and single discoid resection. The low rate of conversion to radical resection confirms the satisfactory preoperative evaluation of bowel endometriosis. Few publications report the rate of conversion to radical surgery. This raises the crucial issue of the right indications for discoid resection. The present study confirms that discoid resection is probably the best option for small lesions because of its high feasibility and low complication rate. Further studies are required to evaluate the technique for larger colorectal endometriotic lesions.

Comparison of Laparoscopic Discoid Resection and Segmental Resection for Colorectal Endometriosis Using a Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Our primary endpoint was to compare the intra- and postoperative complications, whereas secondary endpoints were the occurrence of voiding dysfunction and evaluation of the quality or life of segmental and discoid resection in patients with colorectal endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Tenon University Hospital in Paris. PATIENTS: Thirty-one 31 patients who underwent a conservative surgery and 31 patients who underwent. INTERVENTIONS: The 2 groups were compared using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis, with a median follow-up of 247 days (8.2 months). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Discoid colorectal resection was associated with a shorter operating time (155 vs 180 minutes, p = .03) and hospital stay (7 vs 8 days, p = .002) than segmental colorectal resection; however, a similar intra- and postoperative complication rate was found. A higher rate of postoperative voiding dysfunction was observed in the segmental resection group (19% vs 45%, p = .03) as well as duration of voiding dysfunction requiring bladder self-catheterization longer than 30 days (0 vs 22%, p = .005). CONCLUSION: Our PSM analysis suggests the advantages of discoid resection because it results in a similar surgical complication rate to segmental resection but with advantages in operating time, hospital stay, and voiding dysfunction.

Segmental and Discoid Resection are Preferential to Bowel Shaving for Medium-Term Symptomatic Relief in Patients With Bowel Endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare medium-term clinical outcomes and recurrence rates in the laparoscopic surgical management of bowel endometriosis comparing 3 different surgical techniques (shaving, discoid, and segmental resection). DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Endometriosis tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: A retrospective cohort of 106 patients with histological confirmation of bowel endometriosis undergoing laparoscopic surgical treatment between January 1, 2010, and September 1, 2012. INTERVENTION: Assessment of laparoscopic bowel shaving, discoid or segmental resection for the treatment of painful symptoms related to deep endometriosis (DE) involving the bowel with 24 months of follow-up. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 92 patients were included in the study and were divided into 3 groups according to the surgical procedure performed (shaving, n = 47; discoid resection, n = 15; segmental resection, n = 30). All symptoms improved significantly in the immediate postoperative follow-up, with significant reduction in all visual analog scale scores for pain. Compared with the discoid resection and segmental resection groups, the shaving group had a significantly higher rate of medium-term recurrence of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia. Furthermore, the shaving group had a higher rate of reintervention for recurrent DE lesions compared with the segmental resection group (27.6% vs 6.6%; relative risk [RR], 4.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-17.1). Postoperative complication rates were similar across all 3 groups with a rate of major complications of 4.2% in the shaving group, 6.6% in the discoid resection group, and 6.6% in the segmental resection group. According to our data, the patients with a nodule >3 cm had an RR of 2.5 (95% CI, 1.66-3.99) of requiring bowel resection. CONCLUSION: All 3 treatment modalities are effective in terms of immediate symptom relief with acceptable complication rates. However, significantly higher rates of symptom recurrence and reintervention were noted in the shaving group, whereas segmental resection is more likely to be indicated in cases of large nodules.

Laparoscopic Double Discoid Resection With a Circular Stapler for Bowel Endometriosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the technique of laparoscopic double discoid resection with a circular stapler for bowel endometriosis. DESIGN: Case report (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Private hospital in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. PATIENT: A 33-year-old woman was referred to our service complaining about cyclic dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and cyclic dyschezia. Transvaginal ultrasound with bowel preparation showed a 6-cm endometriotic nodule at the retrocervical area, uterosacral ligaments, posterior vaginal fornix, and anterior rectal wall, infiltrating up to the submucosa, 5 cm far from the anal verge. INTERVENTIONS: Under general anesthesia, the patient was placed in the dorsal decubitus position with her arms alongside her body and her lower limbs in abduction. Pneumoperitoneum was achieved using a Veres needle placed at the umbilicus. Four trocars were placed: a 10-mm trocar at the umbilicus for the zero-degree laparoscope; a 5-mm trocar at the right anterosuperior iliac spine; a 5-mm trocar in the midline between the umbilicus and the pubic symphysis, approximately 8 to 10 cm inferior to the umbilical trocar; and a 5-mm trocar at the left anterosuperior iliac spine. The entire pelvis was inspected for endometriotic lesions, and all implants in the anterior compartment of the pelvis were resected. The lesions located at the ovarian fossae were completely removed. The ureters were identified bilaterally, and both para-rectal fossae were dissected. The right hypogastric nerve was released from the disease laterally. The lesion was separated from the retrocervical area, and the posterior vaginal fornix was resected (reverse technique), leaving the disease attached to the anterior surface of the rectum. The lesion was shaved off the anterior rectal wall using a harmonic scalpel. A x-shaped stitch was placed at the anterior rectal wall using 2-0 mononylon suture. A 33-mm circular stapler was placed transanally under laparoscopic control, and once it reached the area to be resected, it was opened. A gap was created between the envil and the stapler. The anterior rectal wall was placed inside this gap with the aid of the stitch at the anterior rectal wall. The stapler was fired, and a piece of the anterior rectal wall was resected. The same procedure was performed using a 29-mm circular stapler, which allowed for the complete removal of the lesion. We usually perform the second discoid resection using a 29-mm circular stapler to allow an easy progression of the stapler through the rectum beyond the first stapler line, so not to put too much pressure on it. In our experience, the first discoid resection removes most of the disease, and the second discoid resection is only needed to remove a small amount of residual disease, along with the first staple line. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The procedure took 177 min, and the estimated blood loss was 100 mL. The patient started clear liquids 6 hours after the procedure, and was discharged 19 hours after that [1]. Pathological examination of the 2 strips of the anterior rectal wall revealed infiltration of the bowel wall by endometriotic tissue. She had an uneventful postoperative course, and was able to re-start sexual intercourse 50 days after surgery. Between January 2010 and January 2015, 315 women underwent laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of bowel endometriosis in our service. Among them, 16 (5.1%) were operated on by using the double discoid resection technique. Median age of the patients was 34 years, and median body mass index was 25.9 kg/m(2). Median preoperative cancer antigen-125 level was 26.5 U/mL (normal value is <35 U/mL). Median size of the rectosigmoid nodule was 35 mm (range: 30-60), and median distance from the anal verge was 10.5 cm (range: 5-15 cm). Median surgical time was 160 min (range: 54-210 min). Concomitant procedures included hysterectyomy (n = 5), partial cystectomy (n = 3), resection of the posterior vaginal fornix (n = 4), and appendectomy (n = 1). Median estimated intraoperative bleeding was 32.5 mL (range: 30-100), and median time of hospitalization was 19 hours (range: 10-41). Median American Fertility Society score was 46 (10-102). Two minor complications (12.5%) occurred in this initial series: 1 patient required bladder catheterization for urinary retention; and 1 patient developed a urinary tract infection that required oral antibiotic treatment. One major complication (6.2%) was observed; the patient developed fever and abdominal pain on the fourth postoperative day. She was re-operated, and the intraoperative diagnosis was pelviperitonitis. The abdominal cavity was inspected for any dehiscence of the bowel and then washed. She was discharged on the second day after re-operation with oral antibiotic therapy. In our daily practice, we are used to discharging our patients soon in the postoperative setting (19 hours for rectal shaving or discoid resection and 28 hours for segmental bowel resection) [1] because the rate of postoperative fistula seems to be low [2]. Because we still have not seen any fistulas after conservative surgery (rectal shaving, discoid resection, and double discoid resection), we usually prefer to perform this type of surgery compared with segmental bowel resection, when possible. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic double discoid resection with circular stapler may be an alternative to segmental bowel resection in selected patients with bowel endometriosis.

Laparoscopic discoid anterior rectal excision with the circular stapler for rectosigmoid endometriosis, performed by the gynecologic surgeon.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the technique of laparoscopic discoid anterior rectal wall resection using a circular stapler, feasible in the case of rectosigmoid endometriosis lesions measuring ≤ 3 cm. DESIGN: Case report (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Private practice hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. PATIENT: Thirty-four-year-old woman with pelvic deep endometriosis including a 2-cm lesion in the rectosigmoid situated 11 cm proximally to the anal border. She had chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and constipation. She had undergone no previous surgical procedures. INTERVENTIONS: Standard 4-puncture laparoscopy was performed, and all visible endometriosis lesions were first removed before proceeding to rectal resection. The avascular rectovaginal space was identified, and the rectosigmoid was mobilized cranially, releasing the vagina and increasing the final distance of the bowel anastomosis to the anal border. The rectosigmoid nodule was isolated in its entire circumference and remained restricted to the anterior wall of the bowel. It was then transfixed using a 2-0 polyglycolic suture, with the healthy proximal and distal limits of the bowel included in the suture. A 33-cm endoscopic circular stapler was introduced via the anus up to the distal limit of the lesion and opened inside the bowel lumen. By pulling the edges of the suture, the rectosigmoid nodule was introduced inside of the circular stapler. It was fired to resect the anterior rectal wall, and the anastomosis was situated at the anterior and lateral walls of the bowel. Integrity of the bowel was checked via infusion of saline solution with methylene blue dye. Gynecologic surgeons performed all of the procedures. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bowel resection took 20 minutes, and the entire surgical procedure lasted 120 minutes. The patient was discharged after 48 hours. There were no intercurrent events, either early or late postoperatively. The patient was symptom-free at 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic discoid excision of an anterior rectal nodule using the circular stapler is an effective option for treating selected cases of rectosigmoid endometriosis. The technique might be reproducible by gynecologic surgeons after proper training.

Intraoperative transvaginal ultrasound to standardize bowel endometriosis shaving.

OBJECTIVE: To study the use of intraoperative transvaginal ultrasound after bowel endometriosis shaving. DESIGN: Stepwise demonstration with a narrated video footage of preoperative and intraoperative ultrasound to evaluate the extent of an endometriotic rectal nodule. SETTING: Lausanne University Hospital and Geneva University Hospital. PATIENT(S): Two women with symptomatic endometriosis rectal lesion. INTERVENTION(S): Preoperative transvaginal ultrasound was performed to measure the rectal nodule. After completing bowel shaving, the surgeon conducted both clinical and sonographic evaluations of the rectal wall. Clinically, this was performed using laparoscopic grasping forceps and sonographically with a transvaginal probe after filling the pelvis with saline solution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Assessment of the rectal wall for residual disease after bowel shaving and evaluation of the necessity for additional bowel resection. RESULT(S): After sonographic evaluation of the rectal wall, the surgeon decided in both patients to perform a discoid resection because of the presence of a residual rectal disease despite thorough bowel shaving. CONCLUSION(S): Intraoperative transvaginal ultrasound after bowel endometriosis shaving is a promising technique that is safe, reproducible, and efficient. It aids surgeons in accurately assessing the extent of excision of deep rectosigmoid infiltrating endometriosis and determining the necessity of additional bowel resection to reduce recurrence risk. Moreover, intraoperative ultrasound provides precise measurements of residual nodules, enabling differentiation between persistent, recurrent, or new lesions during follow-up.

Outcomes of discoid excision and segmental resection for colorectal endometriosis: robotic versus conventional laparoscopy.

Surgery for deep endometriosis with colorectal involvement is an option after medical treatment failure. Over the past decade, robotic laparoscopy has emerged as an alternative to conventional laparoscopy. We aimed to evaluate surgical outcomes of robotic versus conventional laparoscopy for discoid excision and segmental resection. From 2019 to 2023, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 152 consecutive patients with colorectal endometriosis who underwent robotic or conventional laparoscopy for discoid excision and colorectal resection. Ninety of the patients 152 underwent robotic surgery and 62 conventional laparoscopy. The mean total surgical room occupancy and operating times were longer in the robotic group: 270 ± 81 min vs 240 ± 79 min, p = 0.010, and 216 ± 78 min vs 190 ± 76, p = 0.027, respectively. The mean intraoperative blood loss, and the incidence of intra- and postoperative complications (according to Clavien-Dindo classification) were similar in the two groups. The mean hospital stay was greater after conventional laparoscopy (8 ± 5 vs 7 ± 4 days; p = 0.03), and the rate of persistent voiding dysfunction was higher in the conventional group (9/11, 25% vs 2/11, 5%; p = 0.01). A higher incidence of persistent voiding dysfunction was also observed after segmental resection by conventional laparoscopy (25% vs 4.8%, p = 0.01). Our results support the use of robotic surgery as an alternative to conventional laparoscopy for discoid excision and segmental resection for colorectal endometriosis.

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.

Post-operative complications and recurrence rate after treatment of bowel endometriosis: Comparison of three techniques.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare post-operative complications and recurrence of three surgical techniques: segmental resection, discoid excision and nodule shaving. STUDY DESIGN: From January 2014 to December 2017, 143 patients who underwent segmental bowel resections for endometriosis at "La Paz" University Hospital, were enrolled and grouped by different techniques. We compared post-operative complications and recurrence rate in three groups: 76 (53%) patients underwent segmental resection (group I), 20 (14%) patients underwent discoid resection (group II) and 47 (33%) patients underwent rectal shaving (group III).Qualitative data was defined by absolute values and percentages, and quantitative data by mean and standard deviation. Qualitative variables between groups were compared using Chi- squared test. While quantitative data between groups was performed by means of t-test and ANOVA test. For all statistical tests a value of p < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant. RESULT: Segmental resection was associated with higher rate of severe post-operative complications in comparison with discoid resection or shaving technique (23.5% versus 5% versus 0% respectively) (p = 0.005). We showed statistical differences among the three study groups for nodule size (p < 0.001) and localization (p = 0.02). Our analysis showed statistical differences among the three groups in term of additional procedures performed at the same time of bowel surgery, in particular in case of endometriosis of the ureter (p = 0.001) and the parametrium (p = 0.04).After a long follow-up (46.4 ± 0.5 months for the group I, 42.2 ± 1.6 months for the group II, 39.7 ± 1.8 months for the group III), the shaving group was associated to higher recurrence rate (12.7%) in comparison with the discoid group (5%) and the segmental resection group (1.3%) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: We showed that segmental resection is associated with high rate of postoperative complications. Conversely, this strategy should avoid the need of further interventions in young patients. Conservative surgery, such as discoid resection and shaving, revealed a higher recurrence rate and could be more appropriate in women approximating menopause because of the lower possibility of recurrence.