Laparoscopic surgery for rectovaginal endometriosis : a retrospective descriptive study from a single centre

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background Rectovaginal endometriosis accounts for 5-10% of cases of endometriosis and constitutes one of the forms of deep infiltrating endometriosis. . Deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the bowel is most frequently encountered in the rectovaginal septum and is considered to be the most severe form of the disease and the most difficult to treat surgically owing to its invasive nature. There are currently no studies on this topic pertaining to a South African context. Study Objective To document the outcomes in 112 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for rectovaginal endometriosis. Methods A retrospective audit of 112 women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for rectovaginal endometriosis at Vincent Pallotti's Aevitas Fertility Clinic was undertaken. Eligibility was established by identifying women from a surgical database based on medical aid coding as well as a review of individual case notes. Patients were telephonically contacted to gather any missing information and to assess further outcomes. Design Classification Study number S11/11/036. This study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee at Stellenbosch University and was conducted according to ethical guidelines and principles of The International Declaration of Helsinki, South African Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Ethical Guidelines for Research. Setting Vincent Pallotti’s Aevitas Reproductive Medicine Clinic Patients 112 consecutive patients suffering from rectovaginal endometriosis Interventions: Laparoscopic surgery for treatment of deep infiltrating, namely rectovaginal endometriosis Measurements and Main Results Primary outcome: Complications of laparoscopic surgery for rectovaginal endometriosis included one patient requiring a blood transfusion (0,9%), three cases of rectovaginal fistula (2,7%), two bowel injuries (1,8%)-detected and managed intra-operatively , one ureteric injury (0,9%), one pelvic abscess (0,9%) and the need for three urgent re-operations (2,68%). Secondary outcome: Of the 71 patients desiring fertility 39 (54,9%) fell pregnant of which 27 (69,2%) were spontaneous. Conclusion To our knowledge this is the first study assessing surgical outcomes in the management of deep infiltrating endometriosis from South Africa. These outcomes are in keeping with complication rates quoted in the international literature. Most of the surgery was performed using the shaving technique, in keeping with international trends, whilst fourteen cases required the performance of a segmental resection owing to extensive disease. In trained hands laparoscopic surgery is a valid management option in the management of rectovaginal endometriosis.