The implications of the anatomy of the nerves and vessels in the treatment of rectosigmoid endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a common benign gynecological disease characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus. It can be defined as endometrioma, superficial peritoneal endometriosis or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) depending on the location and the depth of infiltration of the organs. In 5%-12% of cases, DIE affects the digestive tract, frequently involving the distal part of the sigmoid colon and rectum. Surgery is generally recommended in cases of obstructive symptoms and in cases with pain that is non-responsive to medical treatment. Selection of the most optimal surgical technique for the treatment of bowel endometriosis must consider different variables, including the number of lesions, eventual multifocal lesions, as well as length, width and grade of infiltration into the bowel wall. Except for some major and widely accepted indications regarding bowel resection, established international guidelines are not clear on when to employ a more conservative approach like rectal shaving or discoid resection, and when, instead, to opt for bowel resection. Damage to the pelvic autonomic nervous system may be avoided by detection of the middle rectal artery, where its relationship with female pelvic nerve fibers allows its use as an anatomical landmark. To reduce the risk of potential vascular and nervous complications related to bowel resection, a less invasive approach such as shaving or discoid resection can be considered as potential treatment options. Additionally, the middle rectal artery can be used as a reference point in cases of upper bowel resection, where a trans mesorectal technique should be preferred to prevent devascularization and denervation of the bowel segments not affected by the disease.

How to Manage Endometriosis in Adolescence: The Endometriosis Treatment Italian Club Approach.

The evaluation of endometriosis in an adolescent girl is a challenging topic. The initial stage of the disease and the limited diagnostic instrument appropriate for the youth age and for its typical features can reduce the ability of the gynecologist. At the same time, missing a prompt diagnosis can delay the beginning of specific and punctual management of endometriosis, which could avoid a postponed diagnosis from 6 to 12 years, typical of adolescent girls complaining of dysmenorrhea. This article aimed to answer all the potential questions around the diagnosis and management of endometriosis in adolescents starting from a clinical case looking at the possible solution that is easily reproducible in the clinical practice.

Urinary Tract Endometriosis: A Multidisciplinary Fight Against a Silent Enemy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic robotic assisted approach to urinary tract endometriosis. DESIGN: This is an educational video to explain the main steps of robotic assisted ureteroneocystostomy owing to endometriosis. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. A patient written consent was obtained on March 9, 2021. The local institutional review board confirmed that the video met the ethical criteria. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic robotic assisted resection of uterosacral ligament endometriotic nodule, left terminal partial ureterectomy, partial cystectomy, and ureteroneocystostomy. CONCLUSION: This video shows a stepwise approach to laparoscopic robotic assisted urinary tract endometriosis management demonstrating its feasibility and safety. Urinary tract endometriosis affect only the 0.3% to 6% of women affected by endometriosis, among which the most common localization is the bladder (84%-90%) [1]. The ureteral compression is rare but can lead to obstruction up to silent loss of renal function [2], which is one of the main factors to take into account in the management of this disease [3].

Ultrasound Findings of Adenomyosis in Adolescents: Type and Grade of the Disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ultrasound features, types, and degrees of adenomyosis among adolescents and to correlate these findings with clinical symptoms DESIGN: A retrospective observational study. SETTING: Gynecological ultrasound units from January 2014 to June 2020. PATIENTS: A total of 43 adolescents (aged 12-20 years) who were diagnosed as having adenomyosis at a pelvic ultrasound examination. INTERVENTIONS: Ultrasound features and location and type of adenomyosis within the uterus were evaluated on stored 2-dimensional images and videos and 3-dimensional volumes. Adenomyosis was classified as mild, moderate, and severe according to the extension of the disease in the uterus as described in our previous published classification. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Adenomyotic features recorded among our population were myometrial hyperechoic areas, uterine wall asymmetry, intramyometrial cystic areas, and some types of junctional zone alterations. The posterior uterine wall (58%) and the outer myometrial layer (93%) were mostly affected. In 44% of adolescents (19/43) with adenomyosis, at least 1 location of pelvic endometriosis was documented. Dysmenorrhea was the most commonly reported symptoms (88%), and it was associated with adenomyosis of the outer myometrium, myometrial hyperechoic areas, uterine wall asymmetry, and intramyometrial cystic areas. Adolescents with dyspareunia showed diffuse adenomyosis (9/9 patients) including both the inner and outer myometrium (7/9 patients) and in the posterior wall (7/9 patients). Heavy menstrual bleeding was associated with diffuse adenomyosis (18/23 patients) mostly of the outer myometrium (22/23 patients). Scoring system showed predominantly mild disease and no severe adenomyosis was found. Adolescents with diffuse adenomyosis were significantly older and showed a high percentage of heavy menstrual bleeding compared with those with the focal disease of the inner myometrium. CONCLUSION: This study shows that adenomyosis is not only a pathology of adult life, but it involves young patients mostly in a mild-to-moderate form and is associated with typical painful symptoms. In adolescents, the diagnosis of adenomyosis is feasible through a noninvasive way with ultrasound and a proper management can be set.

Impact of lifestyle and diet on endometriosis: a fresh look to a busy corner.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a prevalence of six to ten percent in women of childbearing age. As long as the aetiology of endometriosis is not fully understood and the disease has no definitive treatment, an examination of the environmental factors or interventions that could modify or cure endometriosis would greatly benefit women suffering from this chronic condition. This literature review utilized the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE until February 2021. Studies indicate that fish oil may have a positive effect on reducing endometriosis-related pain due to the effects of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins derived from omega-3 fatty acids. The same effect was seen with the introduction of antioxidant vitamins C, D, and E. There is clinical viability of a low fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharides and polyols diet to successfully reduce the symptoms of patients who suffer from both endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome. Despite the low level of evidence, there are frequent associations between endometriosis and gastrointestinal conditions in addition to the influence of various nutritional factors on the disease. The management of endometriosis requires a holistic approach focused on reducing overall inflammation, increasing detoxification, and attenuating troublesome symptoms. A dietician may provide great benefit in the management of these patients, especially at younger ages and in early stages. High-level evidence and well-designed randomized studies are lacking when it comes to studying the effect of lifestyle and dietary intake on endometriosis. Inarguably, further research with a more extensive focus is needed.

Adenomyosis and infertility: the role of the junctional zone.

OBJECTIVE: Adenomyosis is a benign uterine disorder characterized by the invasion of the endometrium within the myometrium, starting from the junctional zone (JZ), the inner hormone dependent layer of the myometrium that plays an important role in sperm transport, implantation and placentation. The resulting histological abnormalities and functional defects may represent the pathogenic substrate for infertility and pregnancy complications. The objective of this paper is to review the literature to evaluate the correlation between inner myometrium alterations and infertility and to assess the role of JZ in the origin of adverse obstetric outcomes of both spontaneous and in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies. METHODS: we searched Pubmed for all original and review articles in the English language from January1962 until December 2019, using the MeSH terms of 'adenomyosis', 'junctional zone', combined with 'infertility', 'obstetrical outcomes', 'spontaneous conception', 'in vitro fertilization' and 'classification'. The review was divided into three sections to assess this pathogenic correlation, evaluating also the importance of classification of the disease. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Absent or incomplete remodeling of the JZ can affect uterine peristalsis, alter vascular plasticity of the spiral arteries and activate inflammatory pathways, all related to adverse obstetric outcomes. Despite these observations, there is still limited evidence whether adenomyosis is a cause of infertility. However, it is reasonable to screen patients for adenomyosis, to consider pregnant women with diffuse adenomyosis at high risk of adverse obstetric outcomes, and to evaluate the importance of a noninvasive validated classification in the management of women with adenomyosis.

Pudendal Neurolysis: 6-Step Laparoscopic Approach.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety and feasibility of the laparoscopic approach to perform pudendal neurolysis in a case of pudendal nerve entrapment syndrome [1-3]. DESIGN: A video tutorial that highlights the laparoscopic steps to performing pudendal neurolysis, with a focus on the main anatomic landmarks [4,5]. SETTING: A tertiary care regional hospital. INTERVENTIONS: This video shows a 6-step approach to laparoscopic pudendal neurolysis for the treatment of pudendal nerve entrapment between the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments [2,6-8]. Step 1: Identification of the umbilical artery. Step 2: Dissection and development of the lateral paravesical space until the pelvic floor. Step 3: Identification of the arcus tendineus of the endopelvic fascia. Step 4: Identification of the ischial spine and the sacrospinous ligament covered by the coccygeus muscle. Step 5: Coagulation and section of the coccygeus muscle and the sacrospinous ligament. Step 6: Medialization of the pudendal nerve until its entrance into the Alcock canal. CONCLUSION: This video demonstrates the safety, feasibility, and reproducibility of laparoscopic pudendal neurolysis in 6 steps. A minimally invasive approach is adequate to treat the pudendal compression until the Alcock canal [2].

Transvaginal Ultrasound Findings After Laparoscopic Rectosigmoid Segmental Resection for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) findings in patients who underwent segmental rectosigmoid resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and to correlate postsurgical ultrasound findings with symptoms. METHODS: A retrospective study including 50 premenopausal women with bowel endometriosis who underwent segmental rectosigmoid resection was conducted. Within 12 months after surgery, a TVUS examination was conducted in all patients to evaluate the presence of postsurgical endometriosis locations and symptoms, including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dysuria, dyschezia, and chronic pelvic pain. Pelvic pain was assessed in all women by a visual analog scale. RESULTS: At the follow-up 32 of 50 patients were receiving medical treatment, whereas 18 women declined postsurgical medical therapy and tried to conceive. A high percentage of adhesions (90%) was found. A negative sliding sign (a simple diagnostic sign that can be performed during a TVUS examination, consisting of gentle pressure applied by both the vaginal transducer and the examiner's hand on the abdomen; if the uterus does not glide freely along with the rectum and posterior fornix, the sign is considered negative, and adhesions can be suspected) was found in 29 (58%) women and was associated with bowel symptoms. Recurrence of posterior DIE was found in 9 cases (18%) and endometriomas in 8 cases (16%). Adenomyosis was observed in 80% of women and was present in all symptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: After rectosigmoid segmental resection patients with DIE may continue to be symptomatic, and postoperative TVUS may reveal foci of disease or pelvic adhesions. Moreover, adenomyosis could be linked to symptoms experienced during follow up. Women should be aware that painful symptoms and alterations of pelvic organs could still be present after surgery and be detectable by TVUS.

Ulipristal acetate before in vitro fertilization: efficacy in infertile women with submucous fibroids.

BACKGROUND: The presence of submucous fibroids strongly impacts on IVF results, therefore, these patients should be considered for surgical or medical treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the role of Ulipristal acetate (UPA), a selective progesterone receptor modulator, in restoring uterine cavity deformation due to submucous fibroids, in infertile patients attempting an IVF treatment. The secondary study outcome was to evaluate the impact of preconception UPA treatment on rate of biochemical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth compared to a control group without fibroids. METHODS: Infertile patients with submucosal fibroid (Type 1 and Type 2 according to FIGO classification) were enrolled in the study as fibroids group and received 1 to 3 treatment cycles of UPA, according to their response, as reflected by fibroid volume reduction and restoration of normal uterine cavity. Patients in control group were randomly selected from a general IVF cohort by a ratio of 2:1 with fibroids group, matched by age, BMI, type and cause of infertility and antral follicle count. The impact of UPA on fibroids volume reduction was evaluated. IVF outcome was compared between groups. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients underwent UPA treatment revealed a mean volume reduction of their fibroids of 41%. A total of 15 (57.6%) biochemical pregnancy were obtained, resulting in 13 (50%) ongoing pregnancy and 9 (34.6%) healthy babies were already delivered. Similar results were obtained in control group. CONCLUSION: Restoration of normal uterine cavity by UPA treatment prior to IVF treatment avoids surgery and establishes a pregnancy rate comparable to a control group without fibroids.

Sacrohysteropexy: A Way to Spare the Uterus.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To show the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy for treating uterine prolapse. DESIGN: An educational video to explain the laparoscopic steps of this procedure by focusing on the main anatomic landmarks and on tips and tricks to avoid complications. SETTING: A tertiary care university hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic sacropexy with uterus preservation for grade 3 apical defect. CONCLUSION: This video shows a stepwise approach to laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy demonstrating its feasibility and safety. There is a wide choice of surgical procedures and approaches focused on pelvic organ prolapse repair. Since many years, uterine prolapse has been an indication for hysterectomy, regardless of the occurrence of uterine disease and patients' desires. With the introduction of minimally invasive surgery, the uterine-sparing procedures are being increasingly taken into account, especially in young women [1]. Sacrohysteropexy is a uterus-sparing procedure that allows for a reduction in operating time, intraoperative blood loss, mesh-related complications, and surgical costs [2]. Furthermore, this technique has a high success rate with an objective cure rate of 100% for the apical compartment and 80% for all compartments and does not seem to increase the pelvic organ prolapse recurrence rate [3]. Sacropexy is not a life-threatening procedure, but its main objective is to restore functional anatomy with the primary goal of improvement in patient's quality of life. Moreove, no difference has been found with or without uterus preservation in term of postoperative recurrence rate or ent's quality of life [4]. However, high patient satisfaction has been recently reported; therefore, uterine preservation should be considered during patient's counseling.

Surgical treatment of endometriosis: prognostic factors for better quality of life.

The present study investigated the effect of surgical treatment of endometriosis on physical and mental health. We undertook a prospective survey including 153 premenopausal women with histological diagnosis of endometriosis. The Short Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire comprising physical and mental component scales was used. Two groups of patients were distinguished: Group A (n = 42) with SF-12 scores above the median in both physical and mental scales; Group B (n = 111) with SF-12 scores below the median in either physical or mental scale. Group A was diagnosed and operated for endometriosis for the first time at an older age (30 vs. 26 years), had undergone more frequently a single surgical intervention (64% vs. 46%), was less affected by symptom or lesion recurrence and had reported less intense current pain symptoms than Group B. Having the first endometriosis surgery at a later age was an independent predictor of better health status (adjusted odds ratio 1.146 per year, 95% confidence interval 1.058-1.242) after accounting for the potential confounding effects of reoperation, pelvic pain and time elapsed since the first surgery. In conclusion, patients with endometriosis who had a single surgery at an older age have good symptom control and better quality of life (QoL).

Laparoscopic Dissection of the Pelvic Ureter: Rules of Engagement.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To point out the relevant anatomy of the ureter and to demonstrate its rules of dissection. DESIGN: An educational video to explain how to use ureteral relevant anatomy and the principle of dissection to perform safe ureterolysis during laparoscopic procedures. SETTING: A tertiary care university hospital and endometriosis referential center. INTERVENTIONS: Anatomic keynotes of the ureter and examples of ureterolysis. CONCLUSION: This video shows the feasibility of laparoscopic ureteral dissection and provides safety rules to perform ureterolysis. Identification and dissection of the ureter should be part of all gynecologic surgeons' background to reduce the risk of complications [1]. Knowledge of anatomy plays a pivotal role, allowing the surgeon to keep the ureter at a distance and minimizing the need for ureterolysis. Unfortunately, the need for ureteral dissection is not always predictable preoperatively, and gynecologic surgeons need to master this technique, especially when approaching more complex procedures such as endometriosis [2]. An implicit risk of damage cannot be denied when performing ureterolysis; therefore, the ureter should be dissected only when strictly necessary and handled with care to minimize the use of energy [3].

Standard Approach to Urinary Bladder Endometriosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Urinary endometriosis accounts for 1% of all endometriosis where the bladder is the most affected organ. Although the laparoscopic removal of bladder endometriosis has been demonstrated to be effective in terms of symptom relief with a low recurrence rate, there is no standardized technique. Partial cystectomy allows the complete removal of the disease and is associated with low intra- and postoperative complications. Here we describe a stepwise approach to a rare case of a large endometriosis nodule affecting the trigone of the urinary bladder. DESIGN: Step-by-step video explanation of a large endometriotic nodule excision (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: IRCAD AMITS - Barretos | Hospital Pio XVI. The video was approved by the local institutional review board. PATIENT: A 31-year-old woman. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic approach for bladder endometriosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We present a case of a 31-year-old woman who complained of dysuria and hematuria with a bladder nodule of 3 cm affecting the bladder trigone. Laparoscopic complete excision of the nodule was performed. Laparoscopy began with full inspection of the pelvic and abdominal cavity. Vaginal examination under laparoscopic view helped to determinate the dimensions of the bladder nodule. Strategy consisted of bilateral dissection of the paravesical fossae and the identification of both uterine arteries and ureters. The bladder was slowly dissected from the uterine isthmus and was intentionally opened, thus helping the surgeons to identify the lateral and lower limits of the nodule and its proximity to both ureters. Bilateral double J stents were previously placed to guide the excision and further suture. Once the nodule was removed, the remaining wall consisted of the lower aspect of the trigone, both medial lower parts of the ureter, and the apex of the bladder. Suturing was performed in 2 steps. A simple monofilament interrupted suture was applied vertically at the lower wall between both ureters. The same technique was applied horizontally on the bladder dome. Pressure test demonstrated adequate correction. The patient was discharged 2 days later with a bladder catheter and double J stent. After 15 days, both indwelling catheter and ureteric stent were removed, and patient was submitted to a cystogram where no leakage was found. If a leakage had been found on the cystogram, the bladder should be allowed an additional week of continuous drainage. Early follow-up demonstrated a lower bladder capacity that was resolved within 6 months. After a 1-year follow-up the patient had no symptoms and demonstrated no recurrence. She is now 20 weeks pregnant with no need of assisted reproductive methods. CONCLUSION: The technique showed in the video demonstrates the feasibility of a laparoscopic approach for bladder endometriosis. Furthermore, the laparoscopic approach allowed the removal of the large nodule, reducing the risk of small bladder symptoms.

Isolated Ovarian Endometrioma: A History Between Myth and Reality.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between ovarian endometriomas detectable at transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) and other specific extraovarian lesions including adhesions, deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), and adenomyosis. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Two university hospitals. PATIENTS: Two hundred fifty-five symptomatic women with at least 1 ovarian endometrioma found on ultrasound after presentation with pain or irregular menstruation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients underwent TVS followed by either medical or surgical treatment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-five women, aged 20 to 40 years, underwent TVS and were found to have at least 1 endometrioma with a diameter > 20 mm. Associated sonographic signs of pelvic endometriosis (adhesions, DIE, and adenomyosis) were recorded, and a subgroup of patients (n = 50) underwent laparoscopic surgery within 3 months of TVS. Mean endometrioma diameter was 40.0 ± 18.1 mm, and bilateral endometriomas were observed in 65 patients (25.5%). TVS showed posterior rectal DIE in 55 patients (21.5%) and a thickening of at least 1 uterosacral ligament in 93 patients (36.4%). One hundred eighty-six patients (73%) had adhesions, and 134 patients (53%) showed signs of myometrial adenomyosis on TVS. Thirty-eight patients (15%) exhibited only a single isolated endometrioma with a mobile ovary and no other signs of pelvic endometriosis/adenomyosis at TVS. CONCLUSION: Ovarian endometriomas are indicators for pelvic endometriosis and are rarely isolated. Particularly, left endometriomas were found to be associated with rectal DIE and left uterosacral ligament localization and bilateral endometriomas correlated with adhesions and pouch of Douglas obliteration, whereas no correlation was found between endometrioma size and DIE. Determining appropriate management, whether clinical or surgical, is critical for ovarian endometriomas and concomitant adhesions, endometriosis, and adenomyosis in patients desiring future fertility.

Enhanced Endometriosis Archiving Software (ENEAS): An Application for Storing, Retrieving, Comparing, and Sharing Data of Patients Affected by Endometriosis Integrated in the Daily Practice.

Endometriosis is a chronic benign disease affecting women of fertile age, associated with pelvic pain and subfertility, often with negative impacts on quality of life. Meetings involving 5 gynecologists skilled in endometriosis management and 2 informatics technology consultants competent in data management and website administration were enlisted to create an endometriosis databank known as ENEAS (Enhanced Endometriosis Archiving Software). This processing system allows users to store, retrieve, compare, and correlate all data collected in conjunction with different Italian endometriosis centers, with the collective objective of obtaining homogeneous data for a large population sample. ENEAS is a web-oriented application that can be based on any open-source database that can be installed locally on a server, allowing collection of data on approximately 700 items, providing standardized and homogeneous data for comparison and analysis. ENEAS is capable of generating a sheet incorporating all data on the management of endometriosis that is both accurate and suitable for each individual patient. ENEAS is an effective and universal web application that encourages providers in the field of endometriosis to use a common language and share data to standardize medical and surgical treatment, with the main benefits being improved patient satisfaction and quality of life.

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.

Impact of Laparoscopic Surgical Management of Deep Endometriosis on Pregnancy Rate.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of laparoscopic excision of lesions on deep endometriosis-related infertility. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Endometriosis tertiary referral center (Canadian Task Force II-2). PATIENTS: A group of 115 patients who had undergone laparoscopic surgery for infertility with histologic confirmation of deep endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS: Patient medical records and operative reports were reviewed. Telephone interviews were conducted for long-term follow-up of fertility outcomes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Evaluation of fertility outcome after laparoscopic treatment of deep endometriosis by spontaneous conception and by assisted reproductive technology (ART) correlated with lesion number, size, and location (anterior, posterolateral, pouch of Douglas, and multiple locations). After a mean follow-up of 22 months the overall pregnancy rate was 54.78% (n = 63) with a live-birth rate of 42.6% (n = 49). Among those patients given the chance to conceive spontaneously (n = 70), the overall pregnancy rate was 60% (n = 42): 38.5% (n = 27) spontaneously and 21.4% (n = 15) by ART. The removal of multiple lesions was associated with a higher pregnancy rate after surgery. When comparing isolated lesion size and disease location, there was no difference in pregnancy rate. Furthermore, those patients who underwent surgical eradication of the disease for the first time had a higher pregnancy rate (odds ratio, 4.18). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that laparoscopic excision of deep endometriosis enhances pregnancy rate, by both spontaneous conception and ART. First surgical treatment of multiple lesions was associated with higher pregnancy rates, whereas isolated lesions influenced the pregnancy rate irrespective of their location and size.

Adenomyosis: What the Patient Needs.

A panel of experts in the field of endometriosis expressed their opinions on management options in a 28-year-old patient, attempting pregnancy for 1 year, with severe cyclic pelvic pain and with clinical examination and imaging techniques suggestive of adenomyosis. Many questions this paradigmatic patient may pose to the clinician are addressed, and all clinical scenarios are discussed. A decision algorithm derived from this discussion is also proposed.

Mood disorders and quality of life in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-10% of the population of women. The exact etiology of PCOS remains unclear, but it is believed to result from complex interactions between genetic, behavioral and environmental factors. The spectrum of its symptoms such as hirsutism, skin problems, obesity and finally infertility has a huge negative impact on the individuals' psychological and interpersonal functioning. PCOS symptoms can lead to significant deterioration in quality of life and be highly stressful negatively affecting psychological well-being and sexuality. Fear symptoms like palpitation, being out of breath and tension might be caused by many somatic diseases. Moreover, detection and continuous thinking about illness can lead to significant negative impact on individual functioning in society. PCOS may be a factor potentially favoring the occurrence of mood disorders and depression. Biological, social and psychological consequences of PCOS among women of reproductive age are opening a new perspective on management of women's health in these patients.