Evaluation of pre- and post-operative symptoms in patients submitted to linear stapler nodulectomy due to anterior rectal wall endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a more versatile rectosigmoid nodulectomy technique using a linear stapler. METHODS: Case series. SETTING: tertiary care (reference center for endometriosis surgery). PATIENTS: Sixty-one consecutive patients who were operated on between January 2006 and February 2013. INTERVENTION: anterior rectal wall nodulectomy technique using sequential bites of the linear stapler. MEASUREMENTS: Perioperative complications were recorded, and a condition-specific bowel dysfunction quality of life questionnaire (Rome III--Constipation) was applied pre-operatively and post-operatively during the first week of April 2013. DESIGN CLASSIFICATION: Canadian Task Force III RESULTS: A total of 61 patients were submitted to the intervention. After a mean follow-up period of 1.83 years (.25-7.1 ± 1.97), no post-operative fistula or leakage was observed. In addition, no cases of rectal stenosis or bowel obstruction were recorded, and two patients were excluded for not answering the post-operative questionnaire. According to the Rome III questionnaire, constipation symptoms improved significantly in 12 out of 17 questions. No patient reported worsening of symptoms in question. CONCLUSIONS: Linear stapler resection is a safe alternative to segmentar resection for endometriotic nodules on the anterior rectal wall.

Transrectal ultrasound - Techniques and outcomes in the management of intestinal endometriosis.

The widespread use of endoscopic ultrasound has facilitated the evaluation of subepithelial and surrounding lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. Deep pelvic endometriosis, with or without infiltration of the intestinal wall, is a frequent disease that can be observed in women in their fertile age. Patients of this disease may present nonspecific signs and symptoms or be completely asymptomatic. Laparoscopic surgical resection of endometriotic lesions is the treatment of choice in symptomatic patients. An accurate preoperative evaluation is indispensable for therapeutic decisions mainly in the suspicion of intestinal wall and/or urinary tract infiltration, and also in cases where we need to establish histological diagnosis or to rule out malignant disease. Diagnostic tools, including transrectal ultrasound, magnetic resonance image, transvaginal ultrasound, barium enema, and colonoscopy, play significant roles in determining the presence, depth, histology, and other relevant data about the extension of the disease. Diagnostic algorithm depends on the clinical presentation, the expertise of the medical team, and the technology available at each institution. This article reviews and discusses relevant clinical points in endometriosis, including techniques and outcomes of the study of the disease through transrectal ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration.

Laparoscopic resection of intestinal endometriosis: a 5-year experience.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical manifestations, surgical techniques, and complications observed in patients undergoing laparoscopic resection of intestinal deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized (Canadian Task Force Classification II-3). SETTING: University hospital and private practice. PATIENTS: We evaluated 125 patients with intestinal DIE treated from February 2000 through September 2005. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic radical excision of DIE followed by resection of the rectosigmoid colon. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The clinical examination of our patients demonstrated that 66.4% of patients had tenderness, whereas 80.8% had nodules on the pouch of Douglas. In 95.2% we observed pain caused by cervical mobilization, and all the patients had pain during the pouch of Douglas mobilization. Regarding bowel infiltration, preoperative investigation with rectal endoscopic ultrasonography was positive in all cases. Endoscopic rectal ultrasonography demonstrated the depth of intestinal infiltration. Superficial lesions were observed in 9.6% of patients and muscularis involvement in 71.2%. The segmental resection was performed in most of the patients (92%) and the linear resection in 6.4% of them. Median surgical time was 110 minutes, and the median hospital stay was 7 days after the surgery; the patients continued fasting for 3 to 7 days. The return to normal activity was achieved in a median 15 days after the surgery. The surgical procedure and the postoperative follow-up demonstrated no complications in 90.4% of the patients. Minor complications were observed in 4% of the cases. Major complications occurred in 5.6% of the patients, including 2 cases of intestinal fistulas (1.6%) and 3 cases of long-lasting urinary retention (2.4%). CONCLUSION: Clinical symptoms of patients with intestinal endometriosis are not specific. Operative laparoscopy is a safe and effective method to treat intestinal endometriosis. To avoid major complications, special attention must be paid to the intestinal anastomosis and to the nerve preservation.