Endometriosis

In: Coloproctology · 2017 · pp. 241–251 · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-53210-2_20 · W4246477837
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Endometriosis, characterized by tissue outside the uterus, affects 6-10% of women, with the digestive tract involved in about a quarter of cases.

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The paper provides an overview of endometriosis, focusing on its epidemiology, proposed diagnostic pathway (symptoms and exam supported by ultrasound, MRI, and CT), and the need for histological confirmation, while noting that approximately one quarter of cases involve the digestive tract. It summarizes the rationale for symptom-directed treatment because the etiology is unknown, and it discusses surgical challenges for bowel disease, including the lack of clear guidelines on intestinal nodule resection approaches (peeling, disk, or segmental resection). The chapter highlights that complete resection of deep infiltrative endometriosis with low complication rates may improve symptoms and quality of life, but emphasizes that evidence is constrained by the absence of established comparative guidance and by reliance on specialist surgical expertise. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — it reviews diagnostic support methods, digestive-tract involvement, and treatment strategies for deep infiltrative disease.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. It is common affecting 6–10 % of women during childbearing years and is recognized as a condition with significant social impact as related symptoms may heavily impact on patient quality of life. The digestive tract is involved in approximately one quarter of cases. The diagnosis is suggested by the history, symptoms and physical signs and is supported by physical examination and imaging techniques (transvaginal and endorectal ultrasound, magnetic resonance and CT scan). Confirmation of the diagnosis relies on histological examination of specimens collected at time of surgery. The etiology of endometriosis is unknown therefore treatment is not directed at a cure but at reducing related symptoms and improving quality of life. Medical treatment should be considered initially and bowel surgery should be reserved for intractable symptoms. Surgery is often very challenging because the infiltration of various structures by endometriotic nodules. The potential advantages of surgery have to be balanced with the risk of complications. Surgical treatment needs a multidisciplinary approach and a surgical team well-trained in pelvic and laparoscopic surgery. A laparoscopic approach is preferable. No clear guidelines exist concerning the relative advantages of peeling, disk or segmental resection in the treatment of intestinal nodules. Complete resection of deep infiltrative endometriosis with a low complication rate is likely to result in significant symptom improvement and quality of life in usually young patients. Therefore such surgery has to be performed in referral centres. Access this chapter Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout Purchases are for personal use only Similar content being viewed by others

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Pathophysiological approach to bowel dysfunction after segmental colorectal resection for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum: a preliminary study. Hum Reprod. 2011;26:2330–5. Ferrero S, Anserini P, Abbamonte LH, Ragni N, Camerini G, Remorgida V. Fertility after bowel resection for endometriosis. Fertil Steril. 2009;92:41–6. Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Editor information Editors and Affiliations Rights and permissions Copyright information © 2017 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg About this chapter Cite this chapter Binda, G.A., Serventi, A., Fasciani, A. (2017). Endometriosis. In: Herold, A., Lehur, PA., Matzel, K., O'Connell, P. (eds) Coloproctology. European Manual of Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-53210-2_20 Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-53210-2_20 Published: Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg Print ISBN: 978-3-662-53208-9 Online ISBN: 978-3-662-53210-2 eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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