Outcome of sonography-based minimally invasive surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis of the ureter and urinary bladder - a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal sonography for preoperative detection of bladder endometriosis and surgical outcomes regarding fertility and pain symptoms of women with urinary tract endometriosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with urinary tract endometriosis undergoing laparoscopic partial cystectomy and/or ureterolysis/decompression, ureteric resection and end-to-end anastomosis or ureteroneocystostomy for ureteral stenosis and hydronephrosis. RESULTS: Of 207 patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis, 50 exhibited urinary tract endometriosis, comprising 30 patients with bladder endometriosis and 23 women with solitary or additional hydronephrosis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, positive/negative likelihood ratios and test accuracy for transvaginal sonography detecting bladder endometriosis were 93%, 99%, 97%, 99%, 155.5, 0.07 and 98.6% respectively. All women with bladder endometriosis underwent partial cystectomy. In cases of hydronephrosis, 14 conservative ureterolysis/decompressions, six ureteral resection anastomoses and three ureteroneocystostomies were performed. Duration of surgery was 205 min (range 89-365 min), average blood loss was 1.6 g/dL (range 0.3-4.6 g/dL) and hospital stay on average 8 days (range 2-16 days). The conversion rate was 4%. We observed five grade III complications. After a median follow up of 23 months, there was a decrease in dysmenorrhea (7.6-1.6; p < 0.001), dyspareunia (3.0-0.9, p < 0.001) and dysuria (3.3-0.2; p < 0.003), and an increase in quality of life (3.3-8.1; p < 0.001). The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 46% and life birth rate 18%. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery for urinary tract endometriosis is effective for treatment of hydronephrosis, reduction of pain symptoms and may improve fertility. Transvaginal sonography is highly accurate for presurgical detection of bladder involvement.

Learning curve for the detection of pouch of Douglas obliteration and deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum.

STUDY QUESTION: How long does it take to be proficient in diagnosing pouch of Douglas (POD) obliteration and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) of the rectum with transvaginal sonography (TVS)? SUMMARY ANSWER: Sonographers familiar with the general use of TVS are expected to be proficient in the diagnosis of endometriosis nodules of the rectum and the detection of POD obliteration using the 'sliding sign' after ∼40 examinations, performed in a referral clinic for pelvic pain. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN: With rectal DIE, the reasons for the obvious diagnostic problems are complex. Menstrual pain or cramps are still considered to be 'normal' and do not provide a reason for patients and even health-care providers to seek expert help. Furthermore, the performance of TVS for diagnosing pelvic endometriosis has been shown to be accurate only in experienced hands. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION: This prospective study included 121 selected patients with suspected endometriosis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Symptomatic patients, referred to a pelvic pain clinic, were examined by an expert sonographer (E.S.) and consecutively by two trainees (T1/2). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The learning curve using the cumulative sum shows that the trainees, listed as T1/T2, reached the predefined level of proficiency in detecting bowel nodules after examining 42 and 37 patients, for T1 and T2, respectively. The prevalence rate of bowel nodules demonstrated by the ES was 21%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) as well as the accuracy for TVS of T1 and T2 in comparison with the results of ES were 72 and 89, 96 and 95, 87 and 80, 90 and 98, and 89 and 94%, respectively. The prevalence rate of POD obliteration, as demonstrated by a negative sliding sign, was 27%. The trainees reached the predefined level of proficiency after examining 42 and 33 patients, for T1 and T2, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV as well as the accuracy of TVS for T1 and T2 in comparison with the results of the ES were 83 and 89, 95 and 95, 91 and 80, 90 and 98, and 91 and 94%, respectively. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: We performed this analysis in a tertiary referral centre with a high number of advanced cases of DIE, not reflecting a standard population. WIDER IMPLICATION OF THE FINDINGS: Integrated in TVS training courses, typical sonographic video clips for DIE of the rectum, including the use of disease-specific signs, could help to improve diagnostic accuracy in DIE and shorten diagnostic delays. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: No funding was received for this study. None of the authors has any competing interests.

When sex is not on fire: a prospective multicentre study evaluating the short-term effects of radical resection of endometriosis on quality of sex life and dyspareunia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of surgical removal of endometriosis on dyspareunia, sexual function, quality of sex life and interpersonal relationships. STUDY DESIGN: A questionnaire-based multicentre prospective study was conducted in six tertiary referral centres in Austria and Germany. Ninety-six patients with histologically proven endometriosis and dyspareunia were included. Before surgery and averagely 10 months postoperatively (range 9-12 months), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) were used to screen women's sexuality. Additionally, we evaluated psychological parameters and pain intensity during/after sexual intercourse via a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Pain scores measured via NAS during/after intercourse decreased significantly after surgery. Frequencies of interrupted sexual intercourse, feelings of guilt towards the partner, being afraid of pain before/during sexual intercourse and feelings of being a burden for the relationship also decreased significantly in patients with peritoneal endometriosis and deep infiltrating endometriosis. Interestingly, sexually related personal distress did not improve in women with peritoneal endometriosis/vaginal resection, but improved in cases of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). CONCLUSION: Radical laparoscopic excision of endometriosis offers an effective treatment option and offers a significant improvement in dyspareunia and quality of sex life.

Effects of surgical excision of endometriosis regarding quality of life and psychological well-being: a review.

The aim of the present work is to give a critical and detailed reflection on the effects of surgical resection of deep infiltrating endometriosis regarding reduction of symptoms, psychological well-being and quality of life. The current evidence strongly supports the effectiveness of radical laparoscopic resection in relieving endometriosis-associated symptoms and enhancing psychological well-being. In addition, studies suggest a general improvement of quality of life, however, further studies are needed to support this observation.