Diagnostic Dilemmas and Surgical Management of Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: A Two-Year Clinicopathological Study at a Tertiary Care Center in Mangalore

Background: Surgical Site Endometriosis (SSE) is the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue within surgical scars, most commonly following Cesarean sections. It often mimics general surgical conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis. This study evaluates the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and surgical outcomes of SSE.

A retrospective analysis of 32 patients treated for SSE at the Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences. Data on clinical presentation, imaging, surgical technique, and recurrence were analyzed.

The mean age of patients was 31.2 years. The most common presenting symptom was cyclic pain (84.3%) associated with a palpable mass near a previous Pfannenstiel incision. Preoperative diagnosis was correct in only 62.5% of cases, with "Incisional Hernia" (18.7%) being the most common misdiagnosis. The latency period from the inciting surgery to symptom onset peaked at 2–5 years (56.2%). All patients underwent wide local excision with a 1 cm clear margin.

SSE should be a primary differential diagnosis for any female patient presenting with a painful abdominal mass near a surgical scar. A collaborative approach between General Surgery and OBG is essential for accurate diagnosis and definitive wide local excision. Pages: 433-436 | 311 Views | 138 Downloads Download Full Article: Click Here How to cite this article: Karthik KS, Naveen PG. Diagnostic Dilemmas and Surgical Management of Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: A Two-Year Clinicopathological Study at a Tertiary Care Center in Mangalore. Int J Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2026;10(2):433-436. DOI: 10.33545/gynae.2026.v10.i2f.2080