Clinical Assessment of 3 Intrauterine Devices in Adolescent Girls: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical performance, bleeding pattern, dysmenorrhea, and satisfaction up to 1 year after placement of 3 types of intrauterine devices (IUDs) (TCu380A, levonorgestrel 52 mg, and levonorgestrel 19.5 mg) in adolescents METHODS: The study was a randomized trial with 318 adolescents allocated to the 3 IUDs. We assessed reasons for removal, continuation, menstrual patterns, dysmenorrhea, and satisfaction. RESULTS: Participants aged (mean ± SD) 17.9 ± 1.4 years, with 80.8% being nulligravidae. After 1 year, 265 (83.3%) continued using the IUD; however, the continuation rate of TCu380A (75.4 ± 4.2) was lower than that of both the levonorgestrel 52-mg (88.6 ± 3.1) and 19.5-mg IUDs (86.8 ± 3.3), and bleeding/pain and expulsion were the main reasons for removal of the TCu380A IUD. The duration of menstruation was longer among the TCu380A IUD users (6.0 ± 2.0 days) than those using the levonorgestrel 52 mg (2.5 ± 3.9) and 19.5 mg (3.2 ± 3.2) devices, P < .001. Amenorrhea was reported by 49.5% and 37.8% users of the levonorgestrel 52-mg and 19.5-mg devices, respectively, P < .001. Dysmenorrhea was reported in 68.5% of all participants at the baseline; this was 67.9% of the TCu380A group and 33.3% and 36.0% of the levonorgestrel 52-mg and 19.5-mg IUD groups, respectively, P < .001. Satisfaction ranged from 80.7% in the TCu380A group to 97.8% in the levonorgestrel 52-mg group (P = .03). CONCLUSION: The 3 IUDs are suitable for adolescents, with high contraceptive efficacies and rates of continuation within 1 year of use and high degrees of satisfaction. Users of the hormonal IUDs reported lower expulsion rates, more favorable menstrual patterns, and less dysmenorrhea compared with the TCu380A IUD.

Unusual Manifestation of Membranous Dysmenorrhea: Case Report.

BACKGROUND In the 18th century, Morgagni described membranous dysmenorrhea as the sudden and complete detachment of the decidua during menstruation. This causes intense and painful contractions of the myometrium, aggravated by the expulsion of tissues produced by the decidualization of the endometrium. It is a rare pathology associated with oral contraceptives, ectopic pregnancies, abortions, and natural cycles, with consequent thickening and endometrial decidualization with molding of the tissue of the uterine cavity of membranous appearance. The definitive diagnosis is made by histopathological examination. CASE REPORT A 43-year-old female patient came for urgent consultation for an acute picture of severe pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the genital area with transvaginal bleeding of 2 h of evolution. She had no significant past medical history. A transvaginal ultrasound was performed and showed an unchanged endometrial cavity. A vaginal examination revealed a foreign body of soft consistency; therefore, a speculum examination was performed, which showed tissue of endometrial origin located in the cervical canal of a reddish spongy texture. The tissue was removed, thus improving the symptomatology, and was sent to the pathological anatomy service for histopathologic diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Membranous dysmenorrhea is a rare gynecologic disorder with only a few documented cases. According to other case reports, our patient's case, at age 43 years, was an atypical presentation. The clinical features and association with this pathology allowed the diagnosis and its confirmation by histopathological examination.

AAGL 2021 Endometriosis Classification: An Anatomy-based Surgical Complexity Score.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To develop a new endometriosis classification system for scoring intraoperative surgical complexity and to examine its correlation with patient-reported pain and infertility. DESIGN: Multicenter study of patients treated at 3 recognized endometriosis centers. SETTING: Three specialized endometriosis surgical centers in São Paulo, Brazil and Barcelona, Spain. PATIENTS: Patients aged 15 to 45 years with histologically proven endometriosis and no history of pelvic malignancy underwent laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS: Demographic data and clinical history, including dysmenorrhea, noncyclic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysuria and dyschezia, were prospectively recorded. All patients were staged surgically according to the new 2021 American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) classification systems. The staging for each system was compared against a 4-level surgical complexity scale defined by the most complex procedure performed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1224 patients undergoing surgery met inclusion criteria. The AAGL score discriminated between 4 stages of surgical complexity with high reproducibility (κ = 0.621), whereas the ASRM score discriminated between the complexity stages with poor reproducibility (κ = 0.317). The AAGL staging system correlated with dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia, total pain score, and infertility comparably with the ASRM staging system. CONCLUSION: The AAGL 2021 Endometriosis Classification allows for identifying objective intraoperative findings that reliably discriminate surgical complexity levels better than the ASRM staging system. The AAGL severity stage correlates comparably with pain and infertility symptoms with the ASRM stage.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndromne: case review and report of the literature / Síndrome de Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura.

Objective: To report a case of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) and conduct a review of the literature to determine clinical and imaging findings in these patients. Material and methods: A 16-year-old female patient who presented to a military hospital in Bogotá complaining of recurrent pelvic pain, receiving a final diagnosis of HWWS. A systematic search was conducted in the different databases of systematic reviews, cohort studies, case series and case reports of patients of any age diagnosed with HWWS. Clinical presentation characteristics and the most frequent diagnostic technologies used were obtained. A narrative summary of the findings is presented. Results: Overall, 77 publications with a total of 676 patients were included. The most frequent symptom was dysmenorrhea (63.9%), followed by pelvic pain (35.2%). The most frequently used diagnostic technologies were pelvic ultrasound in 92.1% of cases and nuclear magnetic resonance in 74.6%. Hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are seldom used for diagnosing this condition. Conclusion: HWWS is an infrequent disease condition. It must be part of the work-up for renal agenesis in pediatric patients and of the differential diagnosis in primary dysmenorrhea in adolescence. The role of hysteroscopy in this condition must be further assessed in larger cohort studies.

Objetivo: presentar un reporte de caso de síndrome de Herlyn Werner Wunderlich (SHWW) y hacer una revisión de la literatura para determinar los hallazgos clínicos e imagenológicos en estas pacientes. Materiales y métodos: se presenta el caso de una mujer de 16 años que consultó, en un hospital de las fuerzas militares en Bogotá, por dolor pélvico recurrente, su diagnostico final fue SHWW. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura en las diferentes bases de datos, revisiones sistemáticas, cohortes, series de casos y reportes de casos en pacientes con diagnóstico de SHWW en cualquier edad, se obtuvo información sobre las características de presentación clínica, y las tecnologías diagnósticas más frecuentemente utilizadas. Se hace resumen narrativo de los hallazgos. Resultados: se incluyeron 77 publicaciones, un total de 676 pacientes. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron dismenorrea (63,9 %), seguido de dolor pélvico (35,2%). Las tecnologías diagnósticas más utilizadas fueron el ultrasonido pélvico en un 92,1% y la resonancia magnética nuclear en un 74,6% de los casos. La histeroscopia y laparoscopia son poco utilizados en el diagnóstico. Conclusión: el SHWW es una entidad poco frecuente, debe hacer parte del estudio complementario de la agenesia renal del paciente pediátrico y del diagnóstico diferencial de la dismenorrea primaria en pacientes en la adolescencia. Se requiere evaluar con estudios de cohorte más grandes la utilidad de la histeroscopia en estas pacientes.

Peritoneal Retraction Pocket Defects and Their Important Relationship with Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this video is to demonstrate different clinical presentations of peritoneal defects (peritoneal retraction pockets) and their anatomic relationships with the pelvic innervation, justifying the occurrence of some neurologic symptoms in association with these diseases. DESIGN: Surgical demonstration of complete excision of different types of peritoneal retraction pockets and a comparison with a laparoscopic retroperitoneal cadaveric dissection of the pelvic innervation. SETTING: Private hospital in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. INTERVENTIONS: A pelvic peritoneal pocket is a retraction defect in the surface of the peritoneum of variable size and shapes [1]. The origin of defects in the pelvic peritoneum is still unknown [2]. It has been postulated that it is the result of peritoneal irritation or invasion by endometriosis, with resultant scarring and retraction of the peritoneum [3,4]. It has also been suggested that a retraction pocket may be a cause of endometriosis, where the disease presumably settles in a previously altered peritoneal surface [5]. These defects are shown in many studies to be associated with pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and secondary dysmenorrhea [1-4]. Some studies have shown that the excision of these peritoneal defect improves pain symptoms and quality of life [5]. It is important to recognize peritoneal pockets as a potential manifestation of endometriosis because in some cases, the only evidence of endometriosis may be the presence of these peritoneal defects [6]. In this video, we demonstrate different types of peritoneal pockets and their close relationship with pelvic anatomic structures. Case 1 is a 29-year-old woman, gravida 0, with severe dysmenorrhea and catamenial bowel symptoms (bowel distension and diarrhea/constipation) that were unresponsive to medical treatment. Imaging studies were reported as normal, and a laparoscopy showed a posterior cul-de-sac peritoneal pocket infiltrating the pararectal fossa, with extension to the lateral border of the rectum. Case 2 is a cadaveric dissection of a posterior cul-de-sac peritoneal pocket infiltrating the pararectal fossa, with extension to the pelvic sidewall. After dissection of the obturator fossa, we can observe that the pocket is close to the sacrospinous ligament, pudendal nerve, and some sacral roots. Case 3 is a 31-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, with severe dysmenorrhea that was unresponsive to medical treatment and catamenial bowel symptoms (catamenial bowel distention and diarrhea). Imaging studies were reported as normal and a laparoscopy showed left uterosacral peritoneal pocket infiltrating the pararectal fossa in close proximity to the rectal wall. Case 4 is a cadaveric dissection of the ovarian fossa and the obturator fossa showing the proximity between these structures. Case 5 is a 35-year-old woman, gravida 0, with severe dysmenorrhea that was unresponsive to medical treatment, referring difficulty, and pain when walking only during menstruation. A neurologic physical examination revealed weakness in thigh adduction, and the magnetic resonance imaging showed no signs of endometriosis. During laparoscopy, we found a peritoneal pocket infiltrating the ovarian fossa, with involvement in the area between the umbilical ligament and the uterine artery. This type of pocket can easily reach the obturator nerve. Because the obturator nerve and its branches supply the muscle and skin of the medial thigh [7,8], patients may present with thigh adduction weakness or difficulty ambulating [9,10]. Case 6 is a cadaveric dissection of the sacrospinous ligament and the pudendal nerve from a medial approach, between the umbilical artery and the iliac vessels. Case 7 is a 34-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, with severe dysmenorrhea and catamenial bowel symptoms as well as deep dyspareunia. The transvaginal ultrasound showed focal adenomyosis and a 2-cm nodule, 9-cm apart from the anal verge, affecting 30% of the bowel circumference. In the laparoscopy, we found a posterior cul-de-sac retraction pocket associated with a large deep endometriosis nodule affecting the vagina and the rectum. In all cases, endometriosis was confirmed by histopathology, and in a 6-month follow-up, all patients showed improvement of bowel, pain, and neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal pockets can have different clinical presentations. Depending on the topography and deepness of infiltration, they can be the cause of some neurologic symptoms associated with endometriosis pain. With this video, we try to encourage surgeons to totally excise these lesions and raise awareness about the adjacent key anatomic structures that can be affected.

Dismenorreia membranosa (membranácea): um relato de caso / Membranous dysmenorrhea: a case report

A dismenorreia é a queixa ginecológica mais comum em mulheres jovens adultas, com um índice que varia entre 43% e 93% das mulheres que menstruam. A dismenorreia membranosa (DM), uma subclassificação da dismenorreia, é definida como a descida espontânea de tecido endometrial pela vagina, cursando com dor em có- lica intensa e súbita. O relato de caso descrito evidencia três episódios típicos de DM, com recorrência em três vezes distintas, após uso do mesmo anticoncepcional oral combinado de baixa dosagem. Esta publicação é importante para a comunidade científica devido à escassez de informações e artigos científicos publicados sobre o assunto, propondo a elucidação de alguns aspectos sobre o tema.(AU)

Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological complaint in young adult women, with an index that varies between 43% and 93% of women who menstruate. Membranous dysmenorrhea (MD) is a subclassification of dysmenorrhea and is defined as the spontaneous descent of endometrial tissue through the vagina, leading to severe and sudden colic pain. The case report described shows three typical episodes of MD, with recurrence three times after the use of the same low-dose combined oral contraceptive. This publication is important for the scientific community due to the scarcity of information and scientific articles published about this subject, proposing to elucidate some aspects about this theme.(AU

Clinical aspects and the quality of life among women with endometriosis and infertility: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The quality of life (QoL) of patients with endometriosis and infertility was assessed in different stages and correlated with the clinical features of the cases. METHODS: The present study was a cross-sectional study; 106 women were included, divided in two endometriosis groups (Grade I/II, 26 women, and Grade II/IV, 74 women). All participants attended the Endometriosis and Infertility Outpatient Clinic of the Instituto Ideia Fértil de Saúde Reprodutiva, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, São Paulo, Brazil, were and responded to the Short Form (SF) Health Survey-36. Convenience sampling was used due to the authors' access to the study population; however, the sample number was calculated to be sufficient for 95% power in both groups. RESULTS: Homogeneity was observed between Grade I/II and Grade III/IV staging, with similar mean ages (35.27, ±3.64 years and 34.04, ±3.39 years, respectively, p = 0.133); types of infertility (p = 0.535); infertility time (p = 0.654); degrees of pain (p = 0.849); and symptoms common to endometriosis, namely, dysmenorrhea (p = 0.841), dyspareunia (0.466), chronic pelvic pain (p = 0.295), and intestinal (p = 0.573) or urinary (p = 0.809) diseases. Comparisons of median scores in the QoL domains demonstrated that the distributions of QoL and clinical symptoms were significantly related between the types of dyspareunia and the following domains: physical functioning (p = 0.017), role- emotional (p = 0.013), and general health (p = 0.001). Regarding pain outside of menstruation, there was significance in the pain domain (p = 0.017), and degree of pain was significance in physical functioning (p = 0.005) and role-physical (p = 0.011) domains. CONCLUSIONS: The present study pointed out that it is not the stage of endometriosis that interferes in the quality of life of women with endometriosis and infertility but rather the clinical manifestations, such as dyspareunia and pain. Thus, we can conclude that the patient's perception of the disease should be considered in health care and that the losses are independent of the degree of endometriosis in this population with the aggravating factor of infertility.

Endometriosis-associated pain scores and biomarkers in users of the etonogestrel-releasing subdermal implant or the 52-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system for up to 24 months.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to correlate endometriosis-associated pain, evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, with serum levels of etonogestrel (ENG), levonorgestrel (LNG), CA-125 and soluble CD23 in users of the ENG implant or the 52-mg LNG-releasing intrauterine system (52 mg LNG-IUS) for up to 2 years after device placement.Methods: A randomised trial was conducted at the University of Campinas Medical School, Brazil. All participants (n = 103) had had endometriosis-associated chronic pelvic pain or dysmenorrhoea, or both, for more than 6 months. Participants were randomly assigned to use an ENG implant (experimental treatment) or a 52-mg LNG-IUS (active comparator). Follow-up was conducted 6 monthly for up to 24 months after device placement. Dysmenorrhoea and chronic pelvic pain were evaluated using a VAS and the scores were correlated with serum levels of ENG, LNG, CA-125 and soluble CD23.Results: Both progestin-only contraceptives significantly reduced VAS scores for dysmenorrhoea and chronic pelvic pain and reduced serum levels of soluble CD23 (p < 0.001). Serum levels of CA-125 decreased only in the ENG implant group after 24 months' use of the device (p < 0.001). No correlation was found between pain scores and ENG or LNG serum levels over time (p > 0.005).Conclusion: Both contraceptives improved dysmenorrhoea and chronic pelvic pain scores in women with endometriosis-associated pain and they reduced serum levels of soluble CD23; however, serum levels of CA-125 were reduced only in ENG implant users over the 24-month study period.

Laparoscopic Reverse Technique for Posterior Rectovaginal Deep Endometriosis Nodule Step by Step.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the application of the so-called reverse technique to approach deep infiltrating endometriosis nodules affecting the retrocervical area, the posterior vaginal fornix, and the anterior rectal wall. In Video 1, the authors describe the complete procedure in 10 steps in order to standardize it and facilitate the comprehension and the reproduction of such a procedure in a simple and safe way. DESIGN: A case report. SETTING: A private hospital in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. PATIENT: A 32-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 2.4-cm endometriotic nodule at the retrocervical area, uterosacral ligaments, posterior vaginal fornix, and anterior rectal wall, infiltrating up to the muscularis 10 cm far from the anal verge. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 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 Veress needle placed at the umbilicus. Four trocars were placed according to the French technique as follows: a 10-mm trocar at the umbilicus for the 0 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 (step 1). The implants located at the ovarian fossae were completely removed (step 2). The ureters were identified bilaterally, and both pararectal fossae were dissected, preserving the hypogastric nerves (step 3). 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 (step 4). The lesion was shaved off the anterior rectal wall using a harmonic scalpel (step 5). The anterior rectal wall was closed using X-shaped stitches of 3-0 polydioxanone suture in 2 layers (step 6). The specimen was extracted through the vagina (step 7). The posterior vaginal fornix was reattached to the retrocervical area using X-shaped sutures of 0 poliglecaprone 25 (step 8). A pneumatic test was performed to check the integrity of the suture (step 9). At the end of the procedure, hemostasis was controlled, and the abdominal cavity was irrigated using Lactate ringer solution (step10). CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic reverse technique is an alternative approach to face retrocervical or rectovaginal nodules infiltrating the anterior rectal wall. In this technique, the separation of the nodule from the rectal wall is performed at the end of the surgery and not at the beginning as performed within the traditional technique. This enables the surgeon to perform a more precise dissection of the endometriotic nodule from the rectal wall because of the increased mobility of the bowel. The wider range of movements serves as an ergonomic advantage for the subsequent dissection of the lesion from the rectum, allowing the surgeon to decide the best technique to apply for the treatment of the bowel disease (rectal shaving or discoid or segmental resection).

Quality of Life Assessment by the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30) Questionnaire Prior to Treatment for Ovarian Endometriosis in Brazilian Women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the existence of an association between ultrasound findings and epidemiological and clinical factors using results obtained from the EHP-30 questionnaire in women with ovarian endometriosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was performed between July 2012 and May 2015, in which patients with chronic pelvic pain suggestive of endometrioma, as indicated by the results from a transvaginal pelvic ultrasonography, completed the standardized Endometriosis Health Profile - 30 (EHP-30) questionnaire to access quality-of-life scores before beginning treatment for endometriosis. A total of 65 patients were included. The data was analyzed in the statistical program IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) for the comparison of data through linear multiple regression. RESULTS: The suitability of the linear regression model was confirmed by the histogram of the dependent variable and the residue distribution plot, confirming the trend of linearity as well as the homogeneous dispersion of the residues. The mean age of the patients was 39.7 ± 7.1 years old. The majority was Caucasian (64.5%), had completed higher education (56.5%) and was nulligravida (40.3%). Infertility was present in 48.4% of the patients studied. Out of the total sample, 80.6% of the cases were symptomatic and complained mainly of acyclic pain, 79% of dysmenorrhea, and 61.3% of dyspareunia. This reflects the negative influence of endometriosis on the quality of life of patients with this disease. CONCLUSION: Dyspareunia and acyclic pain were independent factors of correlation with high scores in the EHP-30 questionnaire, reflecting a worse quality of life.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a existência de associação entre os achados ultrassonográficos e os fatores epidemiológicos e clínicos com os resultados obtidos no questionário EHP-30 em mulheres com diagnóstico de endometriose ovariana. MéTODOS: Realizou-se um estudo observacional transversal entre julho de 2012 e maio de 2015, no qual as pacientes com dor pélvica crônica com imagem sugestiva de endometrioma na ultrassonografia pélvica transvaginal preencheram o questionário padronizado Endometriosis Health Profile - 30 (EHP-30) para acessar os escores de qualidade de vida antes de iniciar qualquer tratamento para a endometriose. Foram incluídas 65 pacientes. Os dados foram analisados no programa estatístico IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Versão 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, EUA) para a comparação dos dados através de regressão múltipla linear. RESULTADOS: A adequabilidade do modelo de regressão linear foi confirmada através do histograma da variável dependente e do gráfico de distribuição dos resíduos, confirmando a tendência de linearidade, assim como a dispersão homogênea dos resíduos. A idade média das pacientes foi de 39,7 ± 7,1 anos. A maioria era caucasiana (64,5%), apresentava ensino superior completo (56,5%), e era nuligesta (40,3%). Infertilidade estava presente em 48,4% das pacientes estudadas. Do total de casos 80,6% eram sintomáticas e queixaram-se principalmente de dor acíclica, 79%de dismenorreia , e 61,3% de dispareunia em , refletindo a influência negativa da endometriose sobre a qualidade de vida das pacientes portadores desta doença. CONCLUSãO: Dispareunia e dor acíclica foram fatores independentes de correlação com altos escores no EHP-30, refletindo uma pior qualidade de vida.

Quality of life assessment by the endometriosis health profile (EHP-30) questionnaire prior to treatment for ovarian endometriosis in brazilian women / Avaliação da qualidade de vida através do questionário Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30) antes do tratamento da endometriose ovariana em mulheres Brasileiras

Abstract Objective To evaluate the existence of an association between ultrasound findings and epidemiological and clinical factors using results obtained from the EHP-30 questionnaire in women with ovarian endometriosis. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was performed between July 2012 and May 2015, in which patients with chronic pelvic pain suggestive of endometrioma, as indicated by the results from a transvaginal pelvic ultrasonography, completed the standardized Endometriosis Health Profile - 30 (EHP-30) questionnaire to access quality-of-life scores before beginning treatment for endometriosis. A total of 65 patients were included. The data was analyzed in the statistical program IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) for the comparison of data through linear multiple regression. Results The suitability of the linear regression model was confirmed by the histogram of the dependent variable and the residue distribution plot, confirming the trend of linearity as well as the homogeneous dispersion of the residues. The mean age of the patients was 39.7 ± 7.1 years old. Themajority was Caucasian (64.5%), had completed higher education (56.5%) and was nulligravida (40.3%). Infertility was present in 48.4% of the patients studied. Out of the total sample, 80.6% of the cases were symptomatic and complained mainly of acyclic pain, 79% of dysmenorrhea, and 61.3% of dyspareunia. This reflects the negative influence of endometriosis on the quality of life of patients with this disease. Conclusion Dyspareunia and acyclic pain were independent factors of correlation with high scores in the EHP-30 questionnaire, reflecting a worse quality of life.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a existência de associação entre os achados ultrassonográficos e os fatores epidemiológicos e clínicos com os resultados obtidos no questionário EHP-30 em mulheres com diagnóstico de endometriose ovariana. Métodos Realizou-se um estudo observacional transversal entre julho de 2012 emaio de 2015, no qual as pacientes com dor pélvica crônica com imagem sugestiva de endometrioma na ultrassonografia pélvica transvaginal preencheram o questionário padronizado Endometriosis Health Profile - 30 (EHP-30) para acessar os escores de qualidade de vida antes de iniciar qualquer tratamento para a endometriose. Foram incluídas 65 pacientes. Os dados foram analisados no programa estatístico IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Versão 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, EUA) para a comparação dos dados através de regressão múltipla linear. Resultados A adequabilidade do modelo de regressão linear foi confirmada através do histograma da variável dependente e do gráfico de distribuição dos resíduos, confirmando a tendência de linearidade, assim como a dispersão homogênea dos resíduos. A idade média das pacientes foi de 39,7 ± 7,1 anos. Amaioria era caucasiana (64,5%), apresentava ensino superior completo (56,5%), e era nuligesta (40,3%). Infertilidade estava presente em 48,4% das pacientes estudadas. Do total de casos 80,6% eram sintomáticas e queixaram-se principalmente de dor acíclica, 79%de dismenorreia , e 61,3% de dispareunia em , refletindo a influência negativa da endometriose sobre a qualidade de vida das pacientes portadores desta doença. Conclusão Dispareunia e dor acíclica foram fatores independentes de correlação com altos escores no EHP-30, refletindo uma pior qualidade de vida.

Experience of the hernia and wall department in the management of abdominal wall endometriosis for 9 years.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal wall endometriosis is a rare pathological entity. It presents as a tumor with pain, erythema, which worsens with Valsalva maneuvers. OBJECTIVE: To show the experience and results in the management of the department of hernias and abdominal wall in a hospital of second level and to present review of the literature. METHOD: The files of patients treated in the department of hernias and abdominal wall, surgically treated with preoperative clinical and postoperative histopathological diagnosis of abdominal wall endometriosis were taken. The data was described using measures of central tendency and percentages. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were identified, with an average age of 32.75 years, 68.9% reported cyclic catamenial pain associated with a tumor in the abdominal wall; a preoperative clinical diagnosis of abdominal wall endometriosis was made in 89.75%. Only one patient was reported with histopathological diagnosis of fibrolipoma. The totality of the patients referred cesarean section as previous surgery. No recurrences were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal wall endometriosis is the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue in any layer of the abdominal wall. Patients with this diagnosis are referred to the general surgeon presenting a tumor, however, the preoperative diagnosis rate is erroneous in most cases. Abdominal wall ultrasound is useful in diagnosis; tomography and magnetic resonance determine the extent of the disease. The treatment must be related to the extension of the disease and its recurrence is associated with the presence of positive margins.

ANTECEDENTES: La endometriosis de pared abdominal es una enfermedad rara, se presenta como una tumoración con dolor, eritema, y que empeora a las maniobras de Valsalva. OBJETIVO: Mostrar la experiencia y los resultados en el manejo del departamento de hernias y pared abdominal en un hospital de segundo nivel y presentar una revisión de la literatura. MÉTODO: Se tomaron los expedientes de pacientes tratadas en el departamento de hernias y pared abdominal, intervenidas quirúrgicamente con diagnóstico clínico preoperatorio e histopatológico posoperatorio de endometriosis de pared abdominal. Los datos se describieron usando medidas de tendencia central y porcentajes. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 29 pacientes, con una edad promedio de 32.75 años. El 68.9% reportó dolor cíclico catamenial asociado a tumoración de pared abdominal; se hizo diagnóstico clínico preoperatorio de endometriosis de pared abdominal en el 89.75%. Solo una paciente se reportó con diagnóstico histopatológico de fibrolipoma. La totalidad de las pacientes refirió operación cesárea como cirugía previa. No se reportaron recurrencias. CONCLUSIONES: La endometriosis de pared abdominal es la presencia de tejido endometrial ectópico en la pared abdominal. Las pacientes con este diagnóstico son referidas al cirujano general por presentar tumoración, sin embargo, la tasa de diagnóstico preoperatorio es baja en la mayoría de los casos. El ultrasonido es de utilidad en el diagnóstico; la tomografía y la resonancia magnética determinan la extensión de la enfermedad. El tratamiento debe relacionarse con la extensión de la enfermedad y su recurrencia se asocia con la presencia de márgenes positivos.

Variables Associated with Endometriosis-related Pain: A Pilot Study using a Visual Analogue Scale.

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis is a complex disease, and pain is an important component of the syndrome. One of the most used methods to assess pain is the visual analogue scale (VAS). The aim of the present research was to study the pain experienced by patients who referred to our unit for endometriosis, using the VAS to understand the variables that could influence it. METHODS: We have conducted a prospective study from February 2012 to December 2016, enrolling 388 patients who referred to a university hospital, in Florence, Italy. We have included in the present study patients during their follow-up for endometriosis; we have also included patients who underwent surgery with a histological diagnosis of endometriosis. We have collected sociodemographic and clinical information regarding age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habit, number of pregnancies, and endometriosis staging. Finally, we have administered the VAS for several symptoms. RESULTS: Dysmenorrhea was the symptom associated with the highest perception of pain (mean VAS score of 5.76). The logistic regression showed that the stage of endometriosis could influence the pain associated to constipation and to dysuria. The linear regression showed that age could influence the pain associated to constipation, to dyspareunia, and to dysmenorrhea. A positive correlation was found between dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain (CPP), between dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia, and between constipation and dysuria. CONCLUSION: Using a validated method, the VAS, we have studied the pain experienced by a group of patients with a history of endometriosis and observed that smoking habit and BMI did not influence the VAS scores, and that dysmenorrhea was associated with the highest perception of pain.

OBJETIVO: A endometriose é uma doença complexa, e a dor é um componente importante da enfermidade. Um dos métodos mais utilizados para avaliar a dor é a escala visual analógica (EVA). O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi estudar a dor sentida pelas pacientes que se referiram à nossa unidade para endometriose, usando a EVA para entender as variáveis que poderiam influenciá-la. MéTODOS: Realizamos um estudo transversal de fevereiro de 2012 a dezembro de 2016, envolvendo 388 pacientes que se referiram a um hospital universitário, em Florença, Itália. Incluímos nossos pacientes do estudo durante o acompanhamento da endometriose; incluímos também pacientes que se submeteram à cirurgia com diagnóstico histológico de endometriose. Coletamos informações sociodemográficas e clínicas sobre idade, índice de massa corporal (IMC), hábito de fumar, número de gravidezes e estágio da endometriose. Finalmente, administramos a EVA para vários sintomas. RESULTADOS: A dismenorreia foi o sintoma associado à maior percepção de dor (média do escore EVA de 5,76). A regressão logística mostrou que o estágio da endometriose poderia influenciar a dor associada à constipação e à disúria. A regressão linear mostrou que a idade poderia influenciar a dor associada à constipação, à dispareunia e à dismenorreia. Uma correlação positiva foi encontrada entre dismenorreia e dor pélvica crônica, entre dismenorreia e dispareunia, e entre constipação e disúria. CONCLUSãO: Utilizando um método validado, a EVA, estudamos a dor sentida por um grupo de pacientes com história de endometriose e observamos que o hábito de fumar e o IMC não influenciaram os escores EVA, e que a dismenorreia foi associada à maior percepção de dor.

Variables associated with endometriosis-related pain: a pilot study using a visual analogue scale / Variáveis associadas à dor relacionada à endometriose: estudo piloto usando uma escala analógica visual

Abstract Objective Endometriosis is a complex disease, and pain is an important component of the syndrome. One of the most used methods to assess pain is the visual analogue scale (VAS). The aim of the present research was to study the pain experienced by patients who referred to our unit for endometriosis, using the VAS to understand the variables that could influence it. Methods We have conducted a prospective study from February 2012 to December 2016, enrolling 388 patients who referred to a university hospital, in Florence, Italy. We have included in the present study patients during their follow-up for endometriosis; we have also included patients who underwent surgery with a histological diagnosis of endometriosis. We have collected sociodemographic and clinical information regarding age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habit, number of pregnancies, and endometriosis staging. Finally, we have administered the VAS for several symptoms. Results Dysmenorrhea was the symptom associated with the highest perception of pain (mean VAS score of 5.76). The logistic regression showed that the stage of endometriosis could influence the pain associated to constipation and to dysuria. The linear regression showed that age couldinfluencethe pain associated to constipation, to dyspareunia,and to dysmenorrhea. A positive correlation was found between dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain(CPP), between dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia, and between constipation and dysuria. Conclusion Using a validated method, the VAS, we have studied the pain experienced by a group of patients with a history of endometriosis and observed that smoking habit and BMI did not influence the VAS scores, and that dysmenorrhea was associated with the highest perception of pain.

Resumo Objetivo A endometriose é uma doença complexa, e a dor é um componente importante da enfermidade. Um dos métodos mais utilizados para avaliar a dor é a escala visual analógica (EVA). O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi estudar a dor sentida pelas pacientes que se referiram à nossa unidade para endometriose, usando a EVA para entender as variáveis que poderiam influenciá-la. Métodos Realizamos um estudo transversal de fevereiro de 2012 a dezembro de 2016, envolvendo 388 pacientes que se referiram a um hospital universitário, em Florença, Itália. Incluímos nossos pacientes do estudo durante o acompanhamento da endometriose; incluímos também pacientes que sesubmeteramàcirurgia comdiagnóstico histológico de endometriose. Coletamos informações sociodemográficas e clínicas sobre idade, índice de massa corporal (IMC), hábito de fumar, número de gravidezes e estágio da endometriose. Finalmente, administramos a EVA para vários sintomas. Resultados A dismenorreia foi o sintoma associado à maior percepção de dor (média do escore EVA de 5,76). A regressão logística mostrou que o estágio da endometriose poderia influenciar a dor associada à constipação e à disúria. A regressão linear mostrou que a idade poderia influenciar a dor associada à constipação, à dispareunia e à dismenorreia. Uma correlação positiva foi encontrada entre dismenorreia e dor pélvica crônica, entre dismenorreia e dispareunia, e entre constipação e disúria. Conclusão Utilizando um método validado, a EVA, estudamos a dor sentida por um grupo de pacientes com história de endometriose e observamos que o hábito de fumar e o IMC não influenciaram os escores EVA, e que a dismenorreia foi associada à maior percepção de dor.

Multidisciplinary laparoscopic management of deep infiltrating endometriosis from 2010 to 2017: A retrospective cohort study. / Manejo laparoscópico multidisciplinario de la endometriosis profunda del 2010 al 2017: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy has become the standard of care in the surgical management of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). However, it is a challenging procedure with a high complication rate. Despite the benefits of the minimally invasive approach, DIE resection is often performed by surgeons without adequate training, especially in developing countries like Chile. OBJECTIVE: To asses our experience in the diagnosis and laparoscopic management of DIE during seven years. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of data including 137 patients with pathology-proven DIE. Surgical and fertility outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: All procedures were performed laparoscopically without conversion. Dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia were the most common symptoms in 85.4% and 56.9%, respectively. Uterosacral ligaments were the most common DIE location. Endometrioma was present in 48.9% of cases. Median operative time was 140 minutes; however, it was longer in cases requiring bowel surgery (p < 0.0001). The complication rate was 10.9%. Median follow-up was 24.5 months. The pregnancy rate was 58.1% and 90% of patients reported significant symptom relief after surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgical management of DIE is effective and safe but it must be performed in tertiary centers with the availability of multidisciplinary teams.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La laparoscopía es actualmente el estándar en el manejo de la endometriosis profunda. Sin embargo, requiere de un entrenamiento específico e involucra la realización de procedimientos complejos y asociados a una alta tasa de complicaciones. Por lo anterior en Chile y Latinoamérica, la endometriosis profunda es frecuentemente manejada de manera inadecuada. OBJETIVO: Describir nuestra experiencia en el enfrentamiento clínico y manejo quirúrgico laparoscópico de la endometriosis profunda, durante los últimos siete años. MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de 137 pacientes consecutivas operadas y con confirmación histológica de endometriosis profunda. Se recolectaron los datos demográficos, datos quirúrgicos, complicaciones, resultados reproductivos y seguimiento. RESULTADOS: Todas las cirugías fueron completadas por laparoscopía, sin conversión. La dismenorrea y la dispareunia fueron los síntomas más frecuentes en 85,4 y 56,9%, respectivamente. La localización más frecuente de endometriosis profunda fueron los ligamentos úterosacros, coexistiendo un endometrioma en 48,9% de los casos. La mediana de tiempo operatorio fue de 140 minutos, siendo significativamente más prolongado en casos con compromiso intestinal (p < 0,0001). Quince pacientes (10,9%) presentaron complicaciones. El seguimiento medio fue de 24,5 meses. La tasa de embarazo fue de 58,1% y 90% de las pacientes reportó una mejoría significativa de su sintomatología. CONCLUSIONES: El manejo laparoscópico de la endometriosis profunda es efectivo y seguro, pero debe reservarse a centros especializados y con disponibilidad de equipo multidisciplinario.

Manejo laparoscópico multidisciplinario de la endometriosis profunda del 2010 al 2017: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo / Multidisciplinary laparoscopic management of deep infiltrating endometriosis from 2010 to 2017: A retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCCIÓN La laparoscopía es actualmente el estándar en el manejo de la endometriosis profunda. Sin embargo, requiere de un entrenamiento específico e involucra la realización de procedimientos complejos y asociados a una alta tasa de complicaciones. Por lo anterior en Chile y Latinoamérica, la endometriosis profunda es frecuentemente manejada de manera inadecuada. OBJETIVO Describir nuestra experiencia en el enfrentamiento clínico y manejo quirúrgico laparoscópico de la endometriosis profunda, durante los últimos siete años. MÉTODOS Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de 137 pacientes consecutivas operadas y con confirmación histológica de endometriosis profunda. Se recolectaron los datos demográficos, datos quirúrgicos, complicaciones, resultados reproductivos y seguimiento. RESULTADOS Todas las cirugías fueron completadas por laparoscopía, sin conversión. La dismenorrea y la dispareunia fueron los síntomas más frecuentes en 85,4 y 56,9%, respectivamente. La localización más frecuente de endometriosis profunda fueron los ligamentos úterosacros, coexistiendo un endometrioma en 48,9% de los casos. La mediana de tiempo operatorio fue de 140 minutos, siendo significativamente más prolongado en casos con compromiso intestinal (p < 0,0001). Quince pacientes (10,9%) presentaron complicaciones. El seguimiento medio fue de 24,5 meses. La tasa de embarazo fue de 58,1% y 90% de las pacientes reportó una mejoría significativa de su sintomatología. CONCLUSIONES El manejo laparoscópico de la endometriosis profunda es efectivo y seguro, pero debe reservarse a centros especializados y con disponibilidad de equipo multidisciplinario.

BACKGROUND Laparoscopy has become the standard of care in the surgical management of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). However, it is a challenging procedure with a high complication rate. Despite the benefits of the minimally invasive approach, DIE resection is often performed by surgeons without adequate training, especially in developing countries like Chile. OBJECTIVE To asses our experience in the diagnosis and laparoscopic management of DIE during seven years. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of data including 137 patients with pathology-proven DIE. Surgical and fertility outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS All procedures were performed laparoscopically without conversion. Dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia were the most common symptoms in 85.4% and 56.9%, respectively. Uterosacral ligaments were the most common DIE location. Endometrioma was present in 48.9% of cases. Median operative time was 140 minutes; however, it was longer in cases requiring bowel surgery (p < 0.0001). The complication rate was 10.9%. Median follow-up was 24.5 months. The pregnancy rate was 58.1% and 90% of patients reported significant symptom relief after surgery. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic surgical management of DIE is effective and safe but it must be performed in tertiary centers with the availability of multidisciplinary teams.

Surgery in adenomyosis.

INTRODUCTION: Adenomyosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium. The true prevalence is unknown and has been reported to range from 1 to 70%. It has a significantly negative impact on women's quality of life, causing abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and chronic pelvic pain. The definitive treatment for adenomyosis is hysterectomy, although it does not contemplate patients who wish to preserve their fertility. The aim of this paper is to discuss the latest evidence on the surgical techniques for the treatment of adenomyosis published in medical-scientific databases. METHOD: A comprehensive literature search for articles published from 1996 to 2017 related to surgery for adenomyosis was made in Pubmed, Medline, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, in English, by the following MeSH terms: adenomyosis, surgery, pathogenesis, dysmenorrhea and infertility. RESULTS: There is extensive evidence on several surgical approaches for the improvement of adenomyosis-related symptoms; however, there is no robust evidence that they are effective for infertility. CONCLUSION: The management of adenomyosis is quite complex and controversial. Complications after extensive uterine reconstruction, such as uterine rupture, should be considered and discussed with the patient. There are still limited data to support surgery effectiveness, especially for infertility, and further well-designed studies are required.

[Challenges of menstruation in girls and adolescents from rural communities of the Colombian Pacific]. / Desafíos de la menstruación en niñas y adolescentes de comunidades rurales del pacífico colombiano.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the challenges and experiences related to menstruation in girls and adolescents from rural communities of the Colombian Pacific. METHOD: Mixed research, mainly qualitative and quantitative to a lesser extent, which combined ecological, differential and intercultural approaches, as well as gender perspective. The participants were girls and adolescents, young people, teachers/principals of educational institutions, mothers and parents in general, as well as institutional officers from the Municipal Health and Education Secretariats, the Ministries of Health and Education, and the Vice-ministry of Water and Sanitation. Focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys and the educational institutions were carried out in schools. The research was conducted in the municipalities of Bagadó (Chocó), Ipiales (Nariño) and Santander de Quilichao (Cauca). RESULTS: This study showed that insufficient information at the time of menarche, pain, poor access to restrooms, water and absorbent materials, as well as existing prejudices, cause menstruation to be experienced with pain and concealment. All these aspects are correlated with absenteeism in school and the strengthening of prejudices around "being a woman". Inequality in girls and adolescents, derived from constructs around menstruation, goes unnoticed by schools, families, entities and officers in charge of public policy management. CONCLUSIONS: Social and cultural constructs around menstruation in the municipalities studied lead to its configuration as a negative experience, which generates and reinforces taboos that materialize in inequity, stigma and discrimination against girls. In this context, community work and the design of public policies and actions are fundamental to promote gender equity.

OBJETIVO: Comprender los desafíos y experiencias de la menstruación en niñas y adolescentes de comunidades rurales del pacífico colombiano. MÉTODOS: Investigación de carácter mixto: principalmente cualitativa y en menor medida cuantitativa, combinó el enfoque ecológico, la perspectiva de género, el enfoque diferencial y el abordaje intercultural. Los participantes fueron niñas y adolescentes, jóvenes, profesoras/profesores y rectores de instituciones educativas, madres y padres familia, así como actores institucionales de secretarías de salud y educación municipales, y de los ministerios de Salud, Educación y del Viceniministerio de Agua y Saneamiento. Se llevaron a cabo grupos focales, entrevistas a profundidad, encuestas y observaciones de las condiciones sanitarias y de higiene de las instituciones educativas. La investigación fue realizada en los municipios de Bagadó (Chocó), Ipiales (Nariño) y Santander de Quilichao (Cauca). RESULTADOS: Se identificó que la insuficiente información al momento de la menarquia, el dolor, precario acceso a baños, agua y materiales absorbentes, sumados a los prejuicios existentes, hacen que la menstruación se experimente con pena y ocultamiento. Todo esto incide sobre el ausentismo a clases y en el fortalecimiento de prejuicios entorno al "ser mujer". La inequidad en niñas y adolescentes, derivados de las construcciones en torno a la menstruación, pasa desapercibido por las escuelas, familias, entidades y funcionarios encargados de la gestión de políticas públicas. CONCLUSIONES: Las construcciones sociales y culturales sobre la menstruación en los municipios estudiados conllevan a su configuración como experiencia negativa, lo cual genera y refuerza tabúes en torno a la menstruación, que se materializan en situaciones de inequidad, estigma y discriminación para niñas y adolescentes. En este contexto es fundamental el trabajo comunitario, así como el diseño de políticas públicas y acciones para fomentar la equidad de género.

Advantages of the robotic approach to deep infiltrating rectal endometriosis: because less is more.

For symptomatic deep infiltrating endometriosis, surgery is often required to achieve symptom relief and restore fertility. A minimally invasive approach using laparoscopy is considered the gold standard. However, specific limitations of the laparoscopic approach deep in the pelvis keep challenging even surgeons with a solid experience with minimally invasive techniques. Robotic surgery has the potential to compensate for technical drawbacks inherent in conventional laparoscopic surgery, such as limited degree of freedom, two-dimensional vision, and the fulcrum effect. In the present report, we aim at demonstrating the central role of robotic surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis, with special emphasis in the ability to practice organ (rectal) preservation. A 45-year-old white female with a 4-month history of chronic pelvic pain, dyschezia, and dysmenorrhea, refractory to hormonal therapy was referred to our unit. MRI findings were diagnostic of deep infiltrating endometriosis (retrocervical and rectovaginal) extending to the anterior rectal serosal layer (partial-thickness rectal invasion). Using a fully robotic approach, appropriate dissection of the rectovaginal septum and of the extraperitoneal rectum followed by complete excision of the endometriotic rectal nodule with organ (rectal) preservation was undertaken. It is our belief that using a robotic approach, the potential to boost rectal preservation might be established. Moreover, it is possible that in many cases, a robotic operation may allow the surgeon to perform the intervention with greater accuracy and comfort. As a result, more patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis may benefit from rectal sparing procedures.