[Experience of surgical treatment for colorectal endometriosis: report of 6 cases].

Endometriosis is a common disease with 8-15% occurrence in women during their reproductive period. Involvement of the bowel wall occurs rather frequently and probably presents in 12-34% of patient with pelvic endometriosis. However, it is classically asymptomatic and difficult to find out. From 1977 to 1987, we had six patients of colorectal endometriosis with mainly bowel symptoms. Five of them were located at rectum and sigmoid colon, one at the hepatic flexure of colon. All of the cases developed constipation or diarrhea, and four of them had severe abdominal pain. Four cases developed rectal bleeding. Previous operation for pelvic endometriosis was noted in two cases. The detailed examination included digital examination, endoscopy, barium enema and CT scan. Suspected malignancy was the indication for surgery in 4 cases and one in rectal stenosis. Low diagnostic rate was due to the fact that endometrial tissue rarely infiltrates the mucosa. Therefore, pathology of biopsied specimen often reveals non-conclusive finding to prevent differential diagnosis. However bowel resection offers conclusive diagnosis and chances of cure. In our study, only one suspected endometriosis case received bilateral oophorectomy. The stenotic segment of rectum restored to normal caliber after operation.