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Study Objective: Bladder involvement is rare in endometriosis. The prevalence is estimated to be ∼1% in patients with endometriosis. However, this figure seems to be an underestimation. The diagnosis of bladder endometriosis might be missed during laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine an intraoperative visual score of pelvic lesions that help the surgeon suspect bladder endometriosis. Design, Design Classification: A retrospective analysis was performed on the intraoperative photographs and videos of 69 patients with histological confirmation of bladder endometriosis., Setting: A tertiary referral center., Patients: Sixty-nine patients with bladder endometriosis were operated on in our center over a 9-year period., Interventions: Evaluation and analysis of intraoperative laparoscopic findings., Main Results: We found three subtypes of laparoscopic findings that can assist with diagnosing bladder endometriosis. The most prominent sign was named "kissing round ligaments" (Type K), in which the right and left round ligaments appear closer to each other than usual or even touching one another. This sign is strongly associated with full-thickness invasion of the bladder. Other laparoscopic findings that indicated bladder endometriosis were anatomical distortion (Type A) and proximal occlusion of the tubes (Type B). We further define a scoring system for the lesion that correlates with the severity of the bladder endometriosis from superficial lesions to full thickness., Conclusion: Bladder endometriosis is a rare condition and often remains undiagnosed. Indeed, even during surgery, bladder endometriosis can be missed if the operator is not aware of the suggestive signs. Operative laparoscopic findings may help the surgeon to diagnose bladder endometriosis, and these signs correlate with the severity of the disease.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of ultrasound features suggestive of adenomyosis in women undergoing surgery for endometriosis compared with a control group of healthy women without endometriosis., Methods: Retrospective case-control study comparing women with intractable pain or infertility, who underwent transvaginal ultrasound and subsequent laparoscopic surgery, with a control group of healthy women without a previous history of endometriosis. A diagnosis of adenomyosis on TVUS was made based on asymmetrical myometrial thickening, linear striations, myometrial cysts, hyperechoic islands, irregular endometrial-myometrial junction, parallel shadowing, and localized adenomyomas and analyzed for one sign and for three or more signs., Results: The study and control groups included 94 and 60 women, respectively. In the study group, women were younger and had more dysmenorrhea and infertility symptoms. The presence of any sonographic feature of adenomyosis, as well as three or more signs, was found to be more prevalent in the study group, which persisted after controlling for age, for all features but linear striations. Women in the study group who had five or more sonographic features of adenomyosis had more than a threefold risk of suffering from infertility (OR = 3.19, p = 0.015, 95% CI; 1.25-8.17). There was no association with disease severity at surgery., Conclusions: Sonographic features of adenomyosis are more prevalent in women undergoing surgery for endometriosis compared to healthy controls. Women with more than five features had an increased risk of infertility.

Objective: To evaluate fertility outcomes in infertile women with severe endometriosis (The revised American Fertility Society classification [AFS] 3-4) and repeated IVF failures, who underwent surgery due to exacerbation of endometriosis-related symptoms., Design: Retrospective cohort study., Setting: University hospital., Patient(s): All women who failed IVF treatment before surgery and who underwent laparoscopic surgery for severe endometriosis between January 2006 and December 2014., Intervention(s): All patients were operated by highly skilled surgeons specializing in laparoscopic surgery for advanced endometriosis. Only patients with evidence of endometriosis in the pathology specimens were included in this study., Main Outcome Measure(s): Delivery rate after surgery., Result(s): Seventy-eight women were included in the present study. All women were diagnosed with severe endometriosis during surgery (AFS 3-4) and all women had experienced failed IVF treatments before surgery. All women were symptomatic before their surgery. After surgical treatment 33 women (42.3%) delivered. Three women (9%) conceived spontaneously and all other women conceived after IVF treatment. Women who delivered were younger (32.5 [±4.1] years vs. 35.5 [±3.8] years), were less often diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve before surgery (6% vs. 28.8%), and were more often diagnosed with normal uterine anatomy (by preoperative transvaginal ultrasound and during operation). In addition, performing salpingectomy during surgery was associated with a trend of improvement in delivery rates after surgery (70% in women who delivered vs. 51% in women who failed to deliver)., Conclusion(s): Symptomatic women with severe endometriosis and repeated IVF implantation failures may benefit from extensive laparoscopic surgery when performed by an experienced multidisciplinary surgical team to improve IVF outcome., (Copyright © 2016 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To assess the reproductive outcome (spontaneous and assisted conception rates) in women who underwent laparoscopic resection of bladder endometriosis., Design: This was a retrospective, observational study analyzing prospectively recorded data (Canadian Task Force classification II-2)., Setting: A tertiary referral center., Patients: Over a 9-year period, we identified 69 consecutive women with symptomatic pelvic endometriosis who underwent laparoscopic resection of bladder endometriosis at our center., Interventions: Group A patients (n = 21) had full-thickness endometriotic invasion of the bladder and underwent laparoscopic partial cystectomy. Group B (n = 48) patients had partial endometriotic bladder penetration and underwent partial-thickness excision of the detrusor muscle. Most patients (over 70%) had additional, nonbladder endometriotic lesions, which were also removed during surgery., Measurements and Main Results: Fertility outcomes were analyzed in patients who wished to conceive (n = 42), and improvements in symptoms were assessed for all patients. The minimum follow-up after surgery was 36 months. Of the 42 patients who wished to conceive, 35 patients (83.3%) conceived: 16 patients spontaneously and 18 patients after IVF treatment. No difference was observed in fertility outcome between group A (partial cystectomy) and group B (partial-thickness excision of the detrusor muscle). For all patients, long-term follow-up revealed that 80% of the patients (55 patients) had no urinary/endometrial symptoms after surgery., Conclusion: Pregnancy rates after laparoscopic surgery for bladder endometriosis by either partial cystectomy or deep excision of the detrusor muscle are favorable, both for spontaneous pregnancy and conception after IVF treatment. Additionally, urinary symptoms were improved for the majority of patients. Based on our findings, it seems warranted to offer laparoscopic surgical management to symptomatic infertile patients diagnosed with bladder endometriosis, even after IVF failure., (Copyright © 2016 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To determine the incidence and severity of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) in hospitalised women with and without a history of endometriosis., Methods: Retrospective analysis of hospital records retrieved for all women hospitalised with PID or TOA between January 2008 and December 2011 in a tertiary referral centre. Women were compared with regard to a history of endometriosis for demographic, clinical and fertility data., Results: 26 (15%) of the 174 women hospitalised due to PID or TOA were excluded because of age older than 45 years, leaving 148 for analysis. The mean age was 35.7 ± 9.3 years and mean duration of hospitalisation was 5.9 ± 3.7 days. The women were divided into two groups: Group 1 with endometriosis (n = 21) and Group 2 without endometriosis (n = 127). Women in Group 1 as compared with Group 2 were significantly more likely to have undergone a fertility procedure prior to being admitted to the hospital with PID (9/27 (45%) vs 22/121 (17%), P < 0.001); particularly in vitro fertilisation (IVF) (7/ 27 (33%) vs 12/121 (9%), P < 0.006); Women in Group 1 more frequently experienced a severe and complicated course involving longer duration of hospitalisation (8.8 ± 4.7 vs 4.4 ± 2.3 days, P < 0.0001) and antibiotic treatment failure (10/27 (48%) vs 8/121 (6%), P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: Pelvic inflammatory disease in women with endometriosis is more severe and refractory to antibiotic treatment, often requiring surgical intervention. It is likely that endometriosis is a risk factor for the development of severe PID, particularly after IVF treatment., (© 2014 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)

Endometriosis is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. Few studies have also shown increased risk of breast cancer. BRCA1/2 mutations are linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers but their relation to endometriosis is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the mutation rate of BRCA1/2 among women with surgically treated ovarian endometriosis. We collected 126 specimens from Jewish Ashkenazi women with endometriotic (76) and control non-endometriotic (50) ovarian cysts, reviewed the pathological diagnoses and extracted DNA from all samples. Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), samples were examined for the founder germline mutations of BRCA1/2, most common among Ashkenazi Jews. The rate of mutations in each group was calculated and compared. BRCA1/2 mutation rate was 1/76 (1.3%) in the endometriotic cyst study group and 1/50 (2%) in the control non-endometriotic cysts, showing no statistically significant difference between the groups (p=0.84). BRCA1/2 mutation rate was similar to the previously reported rate among Jewish Ashkenazi women. BRCA1/2 mutation rates in patients with endometriotic ovarian cysts and with non-endometriotic ovarian cysts are similar. A larger cohort is required to completely exclude the possibility of an association between BRCA1/2 mutations and surgically treated endometriosis., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

The two major consequences of endometriosis are pain and infertility. Despite numerous studies and proposed guidelines, some aspects of the treatment for these complications are still under debate or lack convincing evidence that favors one approach over the other. Future studies will hopefully present new evidence in regard to the optimal treatment for each indication and suggest innovative pharmacotherapy following improved understanding of the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Until then, individualization of the treatment according to the specific indication, taking into consideration the benefits versus the risks for the patient and the tolerability profile, remains the most appropriate approach.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic treatment of bladder endometriosis, especially in cases of full thickness endometriotic nodules., Design: Retrospective review of medical records., Setting: Tertiary medical center and a referral center for endometriosis., Population: Sixty-nine patients with bladder endometriosis that underwent surgery between January 2005 and December 2011., Methods: The records of all patients with bladder endometriosis were reviewed and the pre-, intra- and postoperative information of patients who underwent surgery was collected., Main Outcome Measures: Efficacy, safety and long-term outcome of laparoscopic treatment of bladder endometriosis., Results: The mean age of 69 patients with bladder endometriosis was 31.3 ± 4.6 years. Preoperative urinary symptoms (such as frequency, urgency, dysuria and others) were present in 28 (40.0%) patients. Laparoscopy was performed in all patients. Deep detrusor involvement was found in 45 (65.2%) patients. Of these, 21 patients underwent partial cystectomy due to a full thickness lesion. Deep nodule resection without bladder invasion was performed in 24 (34.8%) patients and bladder nodule coagulation and ablation in the remaining 24 (34.8%) patients with superficial involvement. No intraoperative complications were noted. Postoperative follow-up results were available for all patients. After a median (range) follow-up period of 60 (4-92) months, 92.7% of the patients were asymptomatic or reported improvement in symptoms., Conclusions: After a long-term follow-up surgical management of bladder endometriosis is strongly recommended. During surgery, careful inspection and full excision of bladder lesions should be performed. Laparoscopic excision is a safe and efficacies approach.

Objective: To investigate the intraoperative features and long-term postoperative results of patients with ureteral endometriosis who underwent ureteral reimplantation., Study Design: In this retrospective study, we reviewed records of all patients with ureteral endometriosis treated by ureteral reimplantation. Pre-, intra- and post-operative information was collected., Results: Of patients operated for endometriosis, seven were diagnosed with severe ureteral endometriosis and underwent ureteral reimplantation. Psoas hitch was the preferred technique for the ureteral reimplantation. During a mean postoperative follow up of 42.3 ± 20.0 months, all but one patient reported significant symptomatic improvement. None of the patients needed additional medical or surgical treatment and no recurrence was noted., Conclusion: Ureteral reimplantation performed by a multidisciplinary surgical team is a suitable technique in selected cases, gives good long-term results and has no need for repeated surgical treatment., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To evaluate the clinical and surgical features of thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) represented by catamenial pneumothorax and pelvic endometriosis and to describe their association with infertility., Design: Retrospective clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification: II-2)., Setting: Academic tertiary referral endometriosis center., Patients: Seven patients who had undergone surgery because of thoracic and pelvic endometriosis between 2004 and 2010., Interventions: Thoracic and pelvic exploration and treatment and fertility treatment., Measurements and Main Results: Concurrently, thoracic and pelvic endometriosis, and subsequent fertility were determined during long-term follow-up after combined surgical and pharmacologic interventions. The most frequent thoracic finding was diaphragmatic implants. Except for 1 patient with recurrent pleurodesis at 1 month after video-assisted thoracoscopy, no patients experienced recurrence of thoracic symptoms during a median (range) follow-up of 31.4 (1-61) months. Severe pelvic endometriosis was diagnosed in 6 patients with notable urologic and gastrointestinal tract involvement. Only 1 patient with catamenial pneumothorax had no macroscopic pelvic lesions. There was a considerable delay between the onset of pelvic symptoms and diagnosis. Median postoperative follow-up was 31.5 (7-84) months. Most patients who tried to conceive had primary infertility., Conclusion: Thoracic endometriosis syndrome, represented by catamenial pneumothorax, was strongly associated with severe pelvic endometriosis and a high rate of infertility. Inasmuch as many patients with thoracic endometriosis syndrome are treated by thoracic surgeons using video-assisted thoracoscopy, it is desirable to involve an experienced gynecologist who can diagnose and treat concurrent pelvic endometriosis., (Copyright © 2012 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To examine the efficiency of laparoscopic ureterolysis for ureteral endometriosis and to describe appropriate treatment., Design: Prospective trial (Canadian Task Force classification II-2)., Setting: University hospital., Patients: Forty-five patients who underwent surgery to treat ureteral endometriosis between 2005 and 2009., Intervention: Laparoscopic ureteral ureterolysis., Measurements and Main Results: Long-term follow up of symptoms, urinary tract anatomy and function, and the need for further intervention were performed. Ureteral endometriosis was observed in 14.2% of 315 patients with endometriosis. Of the 45 study patients, 95.5% had dysmenorrhea, 60% had dyspareunia, and 45% were infertile. Half of the patients had previously undergone laparoscopic procedures. Urinary tract symptoms were present in 15.9% of patients. Preoperative hydronephrosis or hydroureter was observed in 10 patients (22.2%), and impaired urinary function in 2 patients (4.4%). Laparoscopy demonstrated left ureteral involvement in 82.2% of patients, and deep infiltrative endometriosis in 80%. Laparoscopic ureterolysis was feasible in 91.1% of patients. In 4 patients, ureterolysis was not feasible, and primary reimplantation of the ureter was performed. Forty-one patients (91.1%) had no symptoms or had marked improvement postoperatively and required no further treatment. Two patients (4.8%) underwent repeat surgery. In 80% of patients with hydroureteronephrosis, the postoperative sonogram was normal., Conclusions: Ureteral endometriosis can be treated effectively using laparoscopic ureterolysis in almost all patients. Different treatment approaches should be based on the results of preoperative evaluation and operative findings by a multidisciplinary team. Urinary assessment is crucial because most patients demonstrate no urinary tract symptoms and initial renal investigation can prevent irreversible damage., (Copyright © 2011 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine our experience with laparoscopic and laparoscopically assisted management of bowel endometriosis and to recommend treatment approaches, considering patient goals for both pain mitigation or fertility, or both., Methods: The medical records of 187 women treated laparoscopically for intestinal endometriosis were reviewed retrospectively for presenting symptoms, methods of surgical treatment, complications, and efficacy of treating pain and infertility. The extent of resection was determined by the severity of the endometriotic lesion, tempered by the patient's fertility goals., Results: The most common patient complaint preceding surgery was pelvic pain. In addition, 58 (31%) patients experienced impaired fertility. Of the patients available for long-term follow-up, 152 (85%) reported complete or significant long-term pain relief. Complete pain relief in the immediate postoperative period was significantly more likely with partial bowel resection compared with shaving only, 92% vs 80%, respectively, P<0.04. The least invasive procedure, shaving, was associated with a significantly lower complication rate, 6%, compared with 23% for disc excision (P<0.007) and 38% for segmental resection (P<0.001), and higher pregnancy rates. The incidence of pregnancy in patients with a history of infertility was 34% during the follow-up period.

In a controlled, randomized study, we evaluated the effectiveness of various hormonal regimens in treating 70 women (mean age 34.7 +/- 5.7 years) who had unilateral of bilateral ovarian cysts presumed to be physiological (functional) and a history of endometriosis. The patients were assigned randomly to one of the following groups: group I (control), no treatment; group II, oral contraceptives (35 micrograms ethinyl oestradiol and 1 mg norethindrone); group III, oral contraceptives (50 micrograms ethinyl oestradiol and 1 mg norethindrone); group IV, danazol 800 mg/day. Serum CA-125 concentrations were measured in 32 women. All medications were taken continuously for 6 weeks. Subjects were re-evaluated by pelvic examination and transvaginal ultrasound. Those with persistent cysts were offered diagnostic and possible operative laparoscopy. As 11 patients did not complete the study and five did not follow-up, the final study population comprised 54 women. At 6 weeks follow-up, complete resolution of cysts was found in: group I, 12 out of 18 (66.7%); group II, five out of none (55.6%); group III, eight out of 14 (57.1%); and group IV, seven out of 13 (53.9%). Two of the 22 women with persistent cysts opted for 6 weeks further medical therapy and achieved complete resolution; 19 underwent laparoscopy, and one was lost to follow-up. All laparoscopic findings revealed benign masses. We found no statistically significant effect when hormonal treatment was compared with expectant management. There was no correlation between serum CA-125 concentrations and the persistence of resolution of cysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the prevalence of ultrasound signs of adenomyosis in women with endometriosis who underwent surgery to those who were managed conservatively. This was a retrospective study of women evaluated at a tertiary endometriosis referral center who underwent 2D/3D transvaginal ultrasound. Adenomyosis diagnosis was based on the presence of at least three sonographic signs. The study group subsequently underwent laparoscopic surgery while the control group continued conservative management. Statistical analysis compared the two groups for demographics, symptoms, clinical data, and sonographic findings. The study and control groups included 244 and 158 women, respectively. The presence of any, 3+, or 5+ sonographic signs of adenomyosis was significantly more prevalent in the study group (OR = 1.93–2.7, p < 0.004, 95% CI; 1.24–4.09). After controlling for age, for all findings but linear striations, the OR for having a specific feature was higher in the study group. Women in the study group with ≥ 5 sonographic signs of adenomyosis had more than twice the risk of experiencing infertility (OR = 2.31, p = 0.012, 95% CI; 1.20–4.45). Sonographic signs of adenomyosis are more prevalent in women with symptomatic endometriosis who underwent surgery compared with those who continued conservative management. Women with 5+ findings have a significantly increased risk of infertility. Adenomyosis on ultrasound should be considered in the management decisions regarding these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]