Frequency and clinical impact of Dolichocolon in women submitted to surgery for rectosigmoid endometriosis

Diego Raimondo, Giulia Mattioli, Mattioli G, Paolo Casadio, Giulia Borghese, Ambrosio M, Marco Ambrosio, Alessandro Arena, Arena A, Paradisi R, Roberto Paradisi, Simona Del Forno, Francesca Coppola, Valerio D, Domenico Valerio, Monica Garattoni, Garattoni M, Rita Golfieri, Golfieri R, Renato Seracchioli
Journal of gynecology obstetrics and human reproduction · 2020 · vol. 49(4) , pp. 101697 · doi:10.1016/j.jogoh.2020.101697 · PMID:32018043 · W3003381627
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This study investigated the frequency and clinical impact of dolichocolon, a condition characterized by an elongated colon, in women undergoing surgery for rectosigmoid endometriosis.

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Abstract

IntroductionRectosigmoid endometriosis and Dolichocolon can both present with a triad of chronic abdominal pain, constipation and bloating. The relationship between these two pathologies is unknown. The present study aims to determine the frequency of DC in women with rectosigmoid endometriosis and its possible impact on pre- and post-operative symptoms.Material and methodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study on 113 consecutive patients submitted to magnetic resonance imaging enema and subsequent complete surgical removal for symptomatic rectosigmoid endometriosis between June 2015 to June 2018. Dolichocolon is an anatomic variant characterized by redundancies and lengthening of the colon. We divided our study population according to its presence or absence. The two groups were compared in terms of demographic data, surgical findings and pre- and post-operative clinical variables. Pain symptoms were assessed through numerical rating scale from 0 to 10. Bowel complaints included constipation, bloating and diarrhea.ResultsThirty-five patients (31 %) presented a dolichocolon at magnetic resonance imaging enema. The two groups were comparable in terms of demographic data, pre-operative clinical variables and surgical findings. At 6-month follow-up, there was a significant improvement of symptoms, except for constipation and bloating in dolichocolon group. In particular, we observed with a statistical difference (p < .05) the persistence of constipation and bloating in dolichocolon group compared to non-dolichocolon group.ConclusionsDolichocolon was observed in one third patients with rectosigmoid endometriosis and could influence surgical outcomes for rectosigmoid endometriosis in terms of relief of bowel symptoms.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Colon Colonic Diseases Colonic Diseases Endometriosis Rectal Diseases Sigmoid Diseases Adult Colon Colonic Diseases Colonic Diseases Constipation Diarrhea Endometriosis Female Humans Magnetic Resonance Imaging Middle Aged Pain Rectal Diseases Rectal Diseases

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