Safety of the laparoscopic management of patients with deep infiltrative endometriosis in a reference center in Pereira, Colombia. Retrospective cohorte, 2007-2016

OBJECTIVE: Describe the intraoperative findings, procedures and the safety of laparoscopic surgical management of Deep Infiltration Endometriosis (DIE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive historical cohort study of patients with suspected pre-surgical diagnosis of DIE due to clinical findings, pelvic ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging and histological confirmation of the disease. The patients were taken to minimally invasive surgery between 2007 and 2016 in a reference health institution located in Pereira, Colombia. Sociodemographic, clinical, intraoperative findings, types of procedure performed, intra and postoperative complications and post-surgical pain levels at 6 weeks were evaluated. A descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty seven patients were included. The most frequent location of the disease was the recto-vaginal septum (85.7 %). A total of 83 patients (49.7 %) had bowel endometriosis. Of these, 86 % had a shaving and 13.2 % segmental bowel resection. Four patients (2.4 %) had intraoperative complications. One was converted to laparotomy and other five (2.9 %) had post-surgical infection. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic management of DIE is an option to be considered with a 5% of complication frequency. Randomized studies with a control group are required for a better evaluation of safety and efficacy.