Complications of colorectal resection for endometriosis
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⤵ 13 in-corpus citations
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This review discusses early and late complications of colorectal resection for endometriosis, identifying rectovaginal fistulae, anastomotic leakages, and abscesses as most common surgical risks.
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Abstract
Based on a review of the current literature, we will discuss early and late (more than three months postoperative) complications associated with surgery for colorectal endometriosis resection. The most common surgical complications are: rectovaginal fistulae, anastomotic leakages and abscesses. Postoperative bleeding occurs rarely but has also been reported; and usually requires blood transfusion without surgical interventions. The selection of patients for surgery requires a multidisciplinary approach and complete preoperative imaging work-up by an experienced physician. The surgical procedure is challenging, including resection of all extrarectal DIE lesions, often in a context of patients who already underwent operations. Considering the major complications that may occur, there are three frequently observed risk factors. First is the opening of the vagina at the time of the bowel surgical procedure. However, this is a matter of debate, and experts commonly open the vagina during the procedure, as appropriate, without increasing the rate of complications. Second is excessive use of electrocoagulation, which increases the risk of rectovaginal fistulae and abscesses, due to the risk of necrosis of the posterior vaginal cuff. Third is surgical treatment of low rectal lesions (5-8 cm from the anal verge), which increases the risk of anastomotic leaks. In addition, we refuse to consider functional postoperative complications that affect gastrointestinal and sexual function, as minor complications. These can have a severe impact on the quality of life of young women. Further research is needed to prevent and treat such complications.
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Cited by (13)
- Is high-intensity focused ultrasound a magical solution to endometriosis? A systematic review 2024
- Rates of severe complications in patients undergoing colorectal surgery for deep endometriosis—a retrospective multicenter observational study 2022
- Expert opinion on the use of transvaginal sonography for presurgical staging and classification of endometriosis 2022
- Postoperative Complications and Stoma Rates After Laparoscopic Resection of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis with Bowel Involvement 2022
- Short-Term Complications of Surgery 2020
- Post-operative management and follow-up of surgical treatment in the case of rectovaginal and retrocervical endometriosis 2020
- Bowel resection for intestinal endometriosis 2020
- Deep endometriosis transvaginal ultrasound in the workup of patients with signs and symptoms of endometriosis: a cost analysis 2019
- Safety and long-term impacts on quality of life of segmental bowel resection for bowel endometriosis: a single-centred 5-year follow-up 2019
- Bowel surgery as a fertility-enhancing procedure in patients with colorectal endometriosis: methodological, pathogenic and ethical issues 2018
- Rectovaginal Septum Endometriosis 2018
- Are symptoms after a colorectal segmental resection in deep endometriosis really improved? The point of view of women before and after surgery 2018
- Medical treatment in the management of deep endometriosis infiltrating the proximal rectum and sigmoid colon: a comprehensive literature review 2018
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- europepmc
- last seen: 2026-06-12T06:13:51.797165+00:00
- openalex
- last seen: 2026-06-10T17:14:06.276822+00:00
- pubmed
- last seen: 2026-05-13T22:20:31.759405+00:00
- unpaywall
- last seen: 2026-06-02T02:00:03.124865+00:00
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