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Objective: To evaluate the rate and risk factors for anastomosis leakage in patients undergoing colorectal resection with low anastomosis for rectal endometriosis and rectal adenocarcinoma., Methods: A retrospective cohort study evaluating prospectively collected data was conducted. Patients undergoing colorectal resection for rectal endometriosis and rectal adenocarcinoma with low anastomosis (<7 cm from the anal verge [AV]) from September 2018 to January 2023 were included in the analysis. The main outcome was the rate of anastomosis leakage. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted to evaluate risk factors for anastomosis leakage in both groups., Results: A total of 159 patients underwent colorectal resection with low anastomosis due to rectal endometriosis (n = 99) and rectal adenocarcinoma (n = 60). Patients with endometriosis were significantly younger than those with adenocarcinoma (35.7 ± 5.1 vs 63.7 ± 12.6; P = 0.001). The leakage rate was similar between the endometriosis (n = 12, 12.1%) and adenocarcinoma (n = 9, 15.0%) patients (P = 0.621). The anastomosis height less than 5 cm from the AV (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 12.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.24-23.54) was significantly associated with the anastomosis leakage. Protective stoma was associated with the decrease of the leakage risk (aOR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01-0.72). The type of disease (rectal endometriosis or adenocarcinoma) was not associated with the anastomosis leakage (aOR 2.87, 95% CI 0.34-21.23)., Conclusions: Despite the different pathogenesis, the risk of anastomotic leakage was found to be similar between patients with low rectal endometriosis and those with rectal adenocarcinoma. These results must be considered by the gynecologist and colorectal surgeon to deliver proper information before rectal surgery for endometriosis., (© 2024 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.)

Study Question: Is increasing the intensity of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) by 30% in the treatment of rectal endometriosis a safe procedure?, Summary Answer: This study demonstrates the safety of a 30% increase in the intensity of HIFU in the treatment of rectal endometriosis, with no Clavien-Dindo Grade III complications overall, and namely no rectovaginal fistulae., What Is Known Already: A feasibility study including 20 patients with rectal endometriosis demonstrated, with no severe complications, a significant improvement in digestive disorders, dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and health status, although the volume of the endometriosis nodule did not appear to be reduced., Study Design, Size, Duration: A prospective multicentre cohort study was conducted between 2020 and 2022 with 60 patients with symptomatic rectal endometriosis. Following the failure of medical treatment, HIFU treatment was offered as an alternative to surgery., Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: As the main objective of this study was to examine safety, all adverse events observed during the 6 months of follow-up were analysed and graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and Clavien-Dindo classifications. Secondary objectives included evaluating the evolution of symptoms using validated questionnaires: gynaecological and digestive pain symptoms with a visual analogue scale, health status with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire, average post-operative daily pain level, and analgesic medication required in the 10 days following treatment. MRI was also performed at Day 1 to detect early complications. Finally, we performed a blinded MRI review of the evolution of the nodule at 6 months post-treatment., Main Results and the Role of Chance: The procedure was performed under spinal anaesthesia for 30% of the patients. The median duration of treatment was 32 min. Fifty-five patients left the hospital on Day 1. MRI scans performed on Day 1 did not highlight any early-onset post-operative complication. Using the Clavien-Dindo classification, we listed 56.7% Grade I events, 3.4% Grade II events, and no events Grade III or higher. At 1, 3, and 6 months, all gynaecologic, digestive and general symptoms, as well as health status, had significantly improved. The evolution of the nodule was also significant (P < 0.001) with a 28% decrease in volume., Limitations, Reasons for Caution: The main objective was safety and not effectiveness. The study was not randomized and there was no control group., Wider Implications of the Findings: HIFU treatment for rectal endometriosis results in an improvement of symptoms with low morbidity; as such, for selected patients, it could be a valuable alternative to surgical approaches following the failure of medical treatment., Study Funding/competing Interest(s): The study was funded by the company EDAP TMS. Professors Dubernard and Rousset are consultants for EDAP TMS. Dubernard received travel support from EDAP-TMS. Dr F. Chavrier received industrial grants from EDAP-TMS. He has developed a device for generating focused ultrasonic waves with reduced treatment time. This device has been patented by EDAP-TMS. Dr Lafon received industrial grants from EDAP-TMS; he declares that EDAP-TMS provided funding directly to INSERM to support a young researcher chair in therapeutic ultrasound, which is unrelated to the current study., Trial Registration Number: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04494568., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.)

Objective: To describe a combined robotic and transanal technique used to treat ultralow rectal endometriosis in a 36-year-old patient with multiple pelvic compartments, which was responsible for infertility, dyspareunia, left sciatic pain, and severe dyschezia., Design: Surgical video article., Setting: The achievement of a perfect bowel anastomosis in patients with low rectal endometriosis could be challenging owing to technical and anatomic limitations [1]. By allowing a right angle rectotomy with a single-stapled anastomosis, the transanal transection single-stapled technique overcomes these technical difficulties ensuring a good-quality anastomosis with an easier correction of postoperative anastomotic leakage when it occurs [2,3]., Interventions: The surgery starts by splitting the nodule in 3 components according to different anatomic structures involved (parametrium, vagina, and rectum). Parametrial and vaginal fragments are excised as previously described (Supplemental Videos 1) [4]. The rectal involvement is approached following several steps: isolation and cut of inferior mesenteric vessels (inferior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric vein) and left colic artery to obtain a proper colon mobilization; transanal rectotomy immediately below the lower limit of the nodule; extraction of the specimen through the anus (Supplemental Videos 2); proximal bowel segment transection 1 cm above the upper limit of the nodule; introduction of circular stapler anvil into the sigmoid colon; placement of 2 purse string to secure the anvil and at distal rectal cuff, respectively; connection of the anvil to the shoulder of circular stapler; stapler closing and firing with coloanal anastomosis formation; stapled line reinforcement by stitching; and integrity anastomosis test (Supplemental Videos 3). No preventive diverting stoma was performed in accordance with our policy [5]., Conclusions: Although no data are yet available in patients with endometriosis, the use of transanal transection single-stapled technique may be an interesting approach in patients with very low rectal endometriosis involvement., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Study Objective: Surgical excision of large deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the bladder may be challenging, particularly when the nodule limits are close to the trigone and ureteral orifice. Bladder nodules have classically been approached abdominally. However, combining a cystoscopic with an abdominal approach may help to better identify the mucosal borders of the lesion to ensure complete excision without unnecessary resection of healthy bladder. This study aimed to compare classical excision of large bladder nodules by abdominal route with a combined cystoscopic-abdominal approach., Design: Retrospective comparative study on data prospectively recorded in a database. Patients were managed from September 2009 to June 2022., Setting: Two tertiary referral endometriosis centers., Patients: A total of 175 patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the bladder more than 2 cm undergoing surgical excision of bladder nodules., Interventions: Excision of bladder nodules by either abdominal or combined cystoscopic-abdominal approaches., Measurements and Main Results: A total of 141 women (80.6%) were managed by abdominal route and 34 women (19.4%) underwent a combined cystoscopic-abdominal approach. In 99.4% of patients, the approach was minimally invasive. Patients with nodules requiring the combined approach had a lower American Fertility Society revised score and endometriosis stage and less associated digestive tract nodules, but larger bladder nodules. They were less frequently associated with colorectal resection and preventive stoma. Operative time was comparable. The rate of early postoperative complications was comparable (8.8% vs 22%), as were the rates of ureteral fistula (2.2% vs 2.9%), bladder fistula (2.2% vs 0), and vesicovaginal fistula (0.7% vs 2.9%)., Conclusion: In our opinion, the combined cystoscopic-abdominal approach is useful in patients with large bladder nodules with limits close to the trigone and ureteral orifice. These large deep bladder nodules seemed paradoxically associated to less nodules on the digestive tract, resulting in an overall comparable total operative time and complication rate., (Copyright © 2024 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the management of recurrent bowel endometriosis after previous colorectal resection., Design: Surgical video article. The local institutional board review was omitted due to the narration of surgical management. Patient consent was obtained., Setting: A tertiary referral center. The patient first underwent segmental bowel resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum in the ENDORE randomized controlled trial in 2012 and then received a total hysterectomy in 2018. Five years later, she presented with recurrent nodules in the rectovaginal, left parametrium, and abdominal wall after discontinuing medical suppressive treatment., Intervention: Laparoscopic management using robotic assistance was employed to complete excision of the rectovaginal nodule. Disc excision was performed to remove rectal infiltration. The procedure started with rectal shaving and excision of vaginal infiltration . A traction stitch was placed over the limits of the rectal shaving area. The general surgeon placed a 28 mm circular anal stapler transanally and performed complete excision of the shaved rectal area. Anastomotic perfusion was checked with indocyanine green. A methylene blue enema test was conducted to rule out anastomotic leakage. Outcomes were favorable, with systematic self-catheterization during 5 postoperative weeks. No specific symptoms were related to the other 2 nodules, which were not removed., Conclusion: Rectal recurrences may occur long after colorectal resection and outside the limits of the previous surgery site. To accurately assess this risk, long-term follow-up of patients is mandatory.. Postoperative medical amenorrhea may play a role in recurrence prevention. Surgical management of recurrences may be challenging and focus on only those nodules responsible for symptoms so as to best preserve the organ's function and reduce postoperative morbidity., (Copyright © 2023 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To compare the postoperative outcomes and the overall expenses between conventional laparoscopy and robotic surgery, in a series of consecutive patients managed for only severe endometriosis in our institute., Design: A cohort comparative study., Setting: Center of Excellence in Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Care., Patients: A total of 175 symptomatic patients undergoing surgery for only severe endometriosis from March 2021 to August 2022., Interventions: We treated patients with endometriosis involving the digestive tract such as rectum, sigmoid colon, and ileocecal junction by rectal shaving, discoid resection, or segmental resection (141 surgeries) with or without bladder (23 surgeries), sacral plexus (19 surgeries), and diaphragm involvements (14 surgeries)., Measurements and Main Results: Postoperative outcomes were evaluated in terms of total surgical time (total surgical room occupancy time and total operating time), hospitalization period, postoperative complications, rehospitalization, and second surgical procedures. A statistically higher total surgical room occupancy (203 minutes vs 151 minutes) and operating time (150 minutes vs 105 minutes) were observed in the robotic group (p = .001). No differences in terms of mean hospital stay (p = .06), postoperative complications (p = .91), rehospitalization (p = .48), and secondary surgical treatment (p = .78) were identified. Concerning the cost analysis only for disposable supply, the cost of colorectal resection was totaled at 2604 euros for the laparoscopic conventional approach vs 2957 euros for the robotic approach (+352.6 euros, +14%). The cost of rectal disc excision was 1527 euros for the laparoscopic conventional approach vs 1905.85 euros (+378 euros, +25%)., Conclusions: Our study confirms the feasibility of the robotic approach for the treatment of severe endometriosis, with however a higher cost of robotic approach. Next studies should identify specific indications for robotic surgery, where technical advantages provided by the technology are followed by objective improvement of patients' outcomes., (Copyright © 2023 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: The aim was to compare postoperative complications in patients undergoing the excision of a rectal endometriotic nodule over 3 cm by a robotic-assisted versus a conventional laparoscopic approach., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating prospectively collected data. The main interventions included rectal shaving, disc excision or colorectal resection. All the surgeries were performed in one endometriosis reference institute. To evaluate factors significantly associated with the risk of anastomosis leakage or fistula and bladder atony, we conducted a multivariate logistic regression model., Results: A total of 548 patients with rectal endometriotic nodule over 3 cm in diameter (#ENZIAN C3) were included in the final analysis. The demography and clinical characteristics of women managed by the robotic-assisted (n = 97) approach were similar to those of patients who underwent conventional laparoscopy (n = 451). The multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that the surgical approach (robotic-assisted vs. laparoscopic) was not associated with the rate of anastomosis leakage or fistula (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3-4.0) and bladder dysfunction (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.1-1.8). A rectal nodule located lower than 6 cm from the anal verge was significantly associated with anastomosis leakage (aOR 4.1, 95% CI 1.4-10.8) and bladder atony (aOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.5-12.3). Anastomosis leakage was also associated with smoking (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4-7.4), significant vaginal infiltration (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.7) and excision of nodules involving sacral roots (aOR 5.6, 95% CI 1.7-15.5)., Conclusion: The robotic-assisted approach was not associated with increased risk of main postoperative complications compared to conventional laparoscopy for the treatment of large rectal endometriotic nodules., (© 2023 Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Objective: To assess the long-term risk of repeated surgery in women undergoing complete excision of endometriosis by an experienced surgeon and to identify circumstances leading up to repeat surgery., Design: Retrospective study based on data recorded in a large prospective database., Setting: University Hospital., Patient(s): A total of 1,092 patients managed for endometriosis, from June 2009 to June 2018, by one surgeon., Intervention(s): Complete excision of endometriosis lesions., Main Outcome Measure(s): The recording of a repeated surgery linked to endometriosis performed during follow-up., Result(s): Endometriosis was exclusively superficial in 122 patients (11.2%) and 54 women (5%) had endometriomas without associated deep endometriosis nodules. Deep endometriosis was managed in 916 women (83.9%), leading to infiltration or not of the bowel in 688 (63%) and 228 (20.9%) patients, respectively. A majority of patients were managed for severe endometriosis infiltrating the rectum (58.4%). Mean and median follow-up was 60 months. A total of 155 patients underwent a repeated surgery relating to endometriosis; 108 procedures were required because of recurrences (9.9%), 39 surgeries were related to the management of infertility by assisted reproductive techniques (3.6%), and in 8 surgeries, a direct relationship between surgery and endometriosis was probable but not certain (0.8%). The majority of procedures involved hysterectomy for adenomyosis (n=45, 4.1%). The probability of requiring repeated surgery at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years was 3%, 11%, 18%, 23%, and 28%, respectively. Cox's multivariate model identified postoperative pregnancy and hysterectomy as being statistically significant independent predictors for a reduction in the probability of having a repeated surgery, after adjustment on continuous postoperative amenorrhea, the main localization of the disease, and management for endometriosis infiltrating the rectum during the first surgery., Conclusion(s): Up to 28% of patients may require a repeated surgical procedure during the 10 years after complete excision of endometriosis. Conservation of the uterus is followed by an increased risk of repeated surgery. The study is based on outcomes resulting from a single surgeon, which limits the generalizability of results., (Copyright © 2023 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: Deep endometriotic lesions may involve the deep parametrium, which is highly vascular and includes numerous somatic and autonomous nerves [1,2]. Surgeons who dissect in this area must always be prepared to deal with major bleeding and to master the different techniques of hemostasis. The goal of this video is to show the steps of laparoscopic excision of deep endometriotic lesion of the parametrium and the steps taken to control the bleeding encountered from one of the venous branches., Design: Surgical educational video., Setting: Endometriosis referral center., Interventions: Excision of the endometriotic parametrial nodule and the release of the sacral plexus, with excision of the vaginal involvement, rectal disc excision, and segmental resection of the sigmoid colon. The video shows the excision of a deep endometriosis involving the right parametrium, mid rectum, sigmoid colon, and vagina. The excision of deep endometriosis of the parametrium followed the 10 steps previously described [1]. During this procedure, careful dissection of arteries and veins branching from the internal iliac vessels is a crucial step. However, injury of one or more of the vessels can still occur. The video presents the different techniques used to control the bleeding from a venous injury faced during the dissection around the nodule in the parametrium, including energy use, clips, hem-o-loks, and direct continuous pressure. Of note, hemostatic agents are available; however, we have not yet successfully used them in the circumstances in which large veins were injured. The ultimate solution in our case was the clamping of the injured vessels, allowing meticulous dissection and sectioning of all the feeding vessels, while taking care not to injure the sacral roots that were just beneath these veins. Total operative time was 4 hours., Conclusion: Surgery of deep endometriosis involving the sacral plexus may be successfully done laparoscopically. Thorough knowledge of the deep pelvis anatomy is mandatory, and the surgeon should master various techniques of hemostasis, particularly on deep veins., (Copyright © 2023 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To describe the robotic full-thickness rectal excision using a transanal circular stapler in rectovaginal endometriosis nodule infiltrating the rectum >3 cm., Design: Surgical video article. The local institutional review board was consulted, and the requirement for institutional review board approval was waived because the video describes a technique and the patient cannot be identified whatsoever. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the use of personal data., Setting: A tertiary referral center., Patients: Patients undergoing excision of rectal endometriosis., Intervention(s): Standardized technique of full-thickness disk excision of large rectovaginal endometriosis nodules employing a combined robotic and trans anal approach., Main Outcome Measure(s): Feasibility of the technique., Result(s): The technique is designed for deep rectovaginal nodules infiltrating middle and low-rectum up to 3 to 5 cm in length. The procedure was performed with robotic assistance. The 7-degree freedom mobility of the robotic scissors allows for a deep rectal shaving, with the goal of progressive reduction of the thickness of rectal wall. The scissors follow the rectal wall tangentially and leave behind a thin rectal wall which can be bent and pushed into the trans anal stapler's jaws. We employed end-to-end, 33 mm-diameter, circular trans anal staplers to increase the area of rectal wall to be caught into the stapler. A stitch was placed on the superior and the inferior limits of the shaved area, then the shaved area was bent and pushed into the stapler by tying a suture. The general surgeon closed and fired the stapler, then the stapler was removed together with a rectal patch of 4- to 6-cm diameter. The procedure ended in the bubble test which checked the integrity of the stapled line. Supplementary stitches may be placed to reinforce the suture, if required., Conclusion(s): The preliminary rectal shaving represents the real keystone of this procedure, and our experience suggests that the robotic assistance improves its feasibility in large nodule responsible for intrarectal protrusion., (Copyright © 2023 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To report a large series including women managed by disk excision using end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) circular transanal stapler to assess the feasibility of the technique, the features of nodules suitable for removal by disk excision, and the rate of major early complications., Design: Retrospective study on data prospectively recorded in 2 databases., Setting: Two tertiary referral centers., Patients: A total of 492 patients undergoing surgery for rectal endometriosis from May 2011 to June 2022., Interventions: Rectal disk excision using the EEA stapler., Measurement and Main Results: Disk excision using EEA was performed in 492 patients (24.2%) of 2,029 women receiving surgery for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum during the 11-year study period. Deep endometriosis involved low rectum in 11% and mid rectum in 55.3%. The diameter of rectal nodules exceeded 3 cm in 65.9%. Mean operative time was 2 hours, mean diameter of rectal patches removed was 41 ± 11 mm, and the mean rectal suture height was 9.2 ± 5.5 cm. The presence of microscopic foci on the edges of rectal patches was identified in 30.2% of cases. Rectal fistula was recorded in 20 patients (4%). The distance from the anal verge was significantly lower in patients with fistula than women with no fistula (5.9 ± 2 cm vs 9.2 ± 5.6 cm, p = .027). Follow-up ranged from 1 to 120 months, with a median value of 36 months. Magnetic resonance imaging in 3 patients during follow-up revealed a recurrent nodule infiltrating the previous stapled line (0.6%) after a postoperative delay of, respectively, 36, 48, and 84 months., Conclusion: Disk excision using the EEA stapler is suitable in nodules >3 cm if surgeons ensure deep shaving of the rectum, to allow complete inclusion of the shaved area into the stapler jaws. Postoperative rectal recurrences seem incidental, whereas bowel leakage rate is comparable with that after colorectal resection. This technique is suitable in almost a quarter of patients managed for rectal endometriosis nodules and is therefore a valuable technique that warrants more widespread use., (Copyright © 2022 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To compare postoperative complications and rectovaginal fistula rate in women undergoing excision of large rectovaginal endometriosis requiring concomitant excision of rectum and vagina during 2 time periods with differing policies for preventive stoma confection., Design: Retrospective before-and-after comparative cohort study on data prospectively recorded in a database. Patients managed from September 2018 to March 2020 (first period) were compared with those managed from April 2020 to June 2022 (second period)., Setting: Endometriosis Institute., Patients: One hundred sixty-eight patients presenting with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum and vagina, with lesions more than 3 cm in diameter during 2 consecutive time periods with differing policies regarding use of preventive stoma., Interventions: Rectal disc excision or colorectal resection, concomitantly with large vaginal excision., Measurements and Main Results: A total of 87 and 81 women received surgery during the first and the second period, respectively, during which the rate of preventive stoma was, respectively, 32.2% and 8.6%. Deep rectovaginal nodule characteristics were comparable. The mean height (SD) of rectal sutures after disc excision and colorectal resection were, respectively, 6.5 cm (2.3 cm) and 7.2 cm (3.8 cm). Rectovaginal fistula was recorded in 17 patients, corresponding to an overall rate of 10.1%. The rates of rectovaginal fistula in the group of patients with and without preventive stoma, regardless of the period in which surgery was performed, were 11.4% and 9.8%, respectively (p = .76). The rates of fistula recorded during the first and the second period were, respectively, 9.2% and 11.1% (p = .80), and that of overall early main complications were 31% and 29.6% (p = .84). Regression logistic model identified an independent relationship between smoking and rectovaginal fistula (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-14) after adjustment for the period (adjusted OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.4-4.9 related to the second period), stoma confection (adjusted OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.5-7.1 related to stoma confection), robotic surgery (adjusted OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.3-10.1 related to robotic assistance), and type of rectal surgery (adjusted OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1-1.4 related to disc excision when compared with colorectal resection)., Conclusion: No statistically significant differences were found concerning risk of rectovaginal fistula in women with rectovaginal endometriosis requiring large rectal and vaginal excision after a decision to no longer routinely perform preventive stoma., (Copyright © 2022 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To describe our experience with the use of natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) technique for segmental bowel resection in patients with colorectal endometriosis., Design: A retrospective, observational study., Setting: A single tertiary referral center., Patients: A total of 50 consecutive patients undergoing NOSE colectomy for colorectal endometriosis in our center, between March 2021 and November 2021., Interventions: NOSE colectomy for colorectal endometriosis with removal of the excised colorectal specimen through the vagina or the anus., Measurement and Main Results: A total of 45 procedures were performed laparoscopically and 5 procedures were performed robotically. All interventions were performed by 3 endometriosis surgeons in a multidisciplinary fashion, with involvement of a colorectal surgeon. There were no cases of conversion to laparotomy. Concomitant surgical procedures were performed in all cases. Eleven patients had concomitant interventions on the digestive tract. Five patients had concomitant interventions on the sacral plexus or sciatic nerve. All anastomoses were lateroterminal. The mean height of colorectal anastomosis was 12 cm (standard deviation [SD] ± 4), and the mean length of the excised colorectal specimen was 9 cm (SD ± 4). In 29 cases, the specimen was extracted through the vagina and in 21 cases through the anus. A total of 5 patients required a reoperation in the early postoperative period: We identified 1 case of anastomotic leak, 1 case of postoperative bowel obstruction, 1 case of hemorrhage and 2 cases of pelvic collection (no macroscopic evidence of pus). No patient received blood transfusion. The mean operative time was 158 minutes (SD ± 70) and mean hospital stay was 4 days (SD ± 1)., Conclusion: NOSE colectomy is a reproducible surgical technique for the management of colorectal endometriosis. The complication rate appears comparable with the conventional (minilaparotomy) surgical approach. In experienced hands, this technique has a short learning curve, both in laparoscopy and in robotic surgery., (Copyright © 2022 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To compare functional outcomes, recurrence rate, and pregnancy likelihood in patients undergoing conservative or radical surgery for deep rectal endometriosis followed up for 7 years., Design: Prospective study in a cohort of patients enrolled in a 2-arm randomized trial from March 2011 to August 2013., Setting: A tertiary referral center., Patients: Fifty-five patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum., Interventions: Patients underwent either segmental resection or nodule excision via shaving or disk excision, depending on randomization that was performed preoperatively using sequentially numbered, opaque sealed envelopes., Measurements and Main Results: The primary end point was the number of patients experiencing one of the following symptoms: constipation, frequent bowel movements, anal incontinence, or bladder dysfunction 24 months after surgery. The secondary end points were values of gastrointestinal and overall quality of life scores. The 7-year recurrence rates (new deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the rectum) in the excision vs segmental resection arms were 7.4 % vs 0% (p = .24). One of the symptoms included in the definition of the primary outcomes was recorded in 55.6% vs 60.7% of patients (p = .79). However, 51.9% vs 53.6% of patients considered their bowel movements as normal (p = .99). An intention-to-treat comparison of overall quality of life scores did not find a difference between the 2 groups 7 years after surgery. At the end of the 7-year study period, 31 of 37 patients who tried to conceive were successful (83.8%), including 27 pregnancies (57.4%) resulting from natural conception and 20 pregnancies (42.6%) resulting from assisted reproductive technology procedures. The pregnancy rate was 82.4% vs 85% in the 2 arms (p = .99). A 75.7% live birth rate was recorded. At the end of the follow-up, there were 15 women with 1 child (40.5%) and 13 women with 2 children (35.1%). During the 7-year follow-up, the reoperation rates were 37% and 35.7%, respectively, in each arm (p = .84). Among the 27 reoperation procedures during the follow-up period, 11 (40.7%) were for postoperative complications, 7 (25.9%) were necessary before assisted reproductive technology management, 8 (29.6%) were for recurrent abdominal or pelvic pain, and 1 (3.7%) was for midline ventral hernia after pregnancy., Conclusion: Our study did not reveal a considerable difference in terms of digestive functional outcomes, recurrence rate, reoperation risk, and pregnancy likelihood when conservative and radical rectal surgeries for deep endometriosis were compared 7 years after surgery. The postoperative pregnancy rate observed in our series was high., (Copyright © 2022 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To assess to what degree can digestive symptoms improve after endometriosis surgery for different localizations., Design: A comparative retrospective study employing data prospectively recorded in the North-West Inter-Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis (CIRENDO) from June 2009 to November 2018., Setting: Two referral centers., Patients: A total of 1497 women undergoing surgery because of pelvic endometriosis were divided into 3 groups: superficial endometriosis (Group 1, n = 396), deep endometriosis sparing the bowel (Group 2, n = 337), and deep endometriosis involving the bowel (Group 3, n = 764)., Interventions: Surgery for endometriosis., Measurements and Main Results: Preoperative and postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated with standardized questionnaires, including the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and Knowles-Eccersley-Scott-Symptom questionnaire (KESS). The degree of postoperative improvement in digestive symptoms was compared between the groups. The women in Group 3 were significantly symptomatic in terms of cycle-related gastrointestinal symptoms and scores of standardized questionnaires GIQLI and KESS. According to the 1-year postoperative evaluation, women in Group 3 experienced the most significant improvement in their gastrointestinal symptoms., Conclusion: Women with severe bowel symptoms and deep endometriosis infiltrating the bowel should be informed about the high probability of symptom improvement after the removal of bowel nodules. Conversely, in women without deep endometriosis, postoperatively, there is less improvement in baseline digestive complaints., (Copyright © 2021 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To assess whether a liberal policy of preventive stoma (LPS) reduces the rate of rectovaginal fistulas in women with excision of deep endometriosis requiring concomitant vaginal and rectal sutures in comparison with a more restrictive policy of preventive stoma (RPS) and to assess the risk factors for rectovaginal fistula., Design: Retrospective before-and-after comparative study., Setting: Two referral centers, one with an LPS and the other with an RPS., Patients: A total of 363 patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum and the vagina., Interventions: Rectal disc excision or colorectal resection concomitantly with vaginal excision., Measurements and Main Results: Two hundred forty-one and 122 women received surgery at the LPS and RPS centers, respectively. The rate of preventive stomas was 71.4% at the LPS center (n = 172) and 30.3% at the RPS center (N = 37). Rectovaginal fistula was recorded in 31 cases (8.5%): nineteen women were managed at the LPS center, and 12 women underwent surgery at the RPS center. It occurred in, respectively, 9.4%, 10.8%, 10.1%, and 7% of the women managed without and with a stoma at the RPS center and of those managed without and with a stoma at the LPS center (p = .72). The height of the rectal stapled line was significantly lower in the women undergoing a stoma, particularly in those managed at the RPS center (5.4 ± 1.8 cm). Performing rectal sutures within 8 cm from the anal verge increased the risk of rectovaginal fistula more than 3-fold, independently of stoma creation, surgical procedure carried out on the rectum, size of vaginal infiltration, or associated excision of deep endometriosis involving the pelvic nerves (odds ratio 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-9.1)., Conclusion: No statistically significant differences were found in terms of the risk of rectovaginal fistula between women with rectovaginal endometriosis managed by either an LPS or an RPS; however, these findings need to be confirmed by a randomized trial., (Copyright © 2021 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: The aim of this work was to assess whether placement of a biological mesh (Permacol ® ) between the vaginal and rectal sutures reduces the rate of rectovaginal fistula in patients with deep rectovaginal endometriosis., Method: We report a retrospective, comparative study enrolling patients with vaginal infiltration of more than 3 cm in diameter and rectal involvement in two centres. They benefited from complete excision of rectovaginal endometriotic nodules with or without a biological mesh placed between the vaginal and rectal sutures. The rate of rectovaginal fistula was compared between the two groups., Results: Two hundred and nine patients were enrolled: 42 patients underwent interposition of biological mesh (cases) and 167 did not (controls). Ninety-two per cent of cases and 86.2% of controls had rectal infiltration more than 3 cm in diameter. Cases underwent rectal disc excision more frequently (64.3% vs. 49.1%) and had a smaller distance between the rectal staple line and the anal verge (4.4 ± 1.4 cm vs. 6 ± 2.9 cm). Rectovaginal fistulas occurred in 4 cases (9.5%) and 12 controls (7.2%). Logistic regression analyses revealed no difference in the rate of rectovaginal fistula following the use of mesh (adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.3-9.5). A distance of less than 7 cm between the rectal staple line and the anal verge was found to be an independent risk factor for the development of rectovaginal fistula (adjusted OR 15.1, 95% CI 1.7-132)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that the placement of a biological mesh between the vagina and rectal sutures may not affect the rate of formation of postoperative rectovaginal fistula following excision of deep infiltrating rectovaginal endometriosis., (© 2021 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Objective: To assess the relationship between the rate of postoperative bowel fistula and surgeon experience., Design: Retrospective study., Setting: Two referral centers., Patients: 1060 women managed for colorectal deep endometriosis by one gynecologist surgeon from January 2005 to March 2020., Interventions: Shaving, disc excision and segmental colorectal resection., Main Outcome Measures: Rate of bowel fistula stratified according to 4 time periods: P1 from 2005 to 2009, P2 from 2010 to 2014, P3 from 2015 to June 2018 and P4 from September 2018 to March 2020., Results: 68 patients (6.4%) were managed during P1, 299 patients (28.2%) during P2, 422 patients (39.8%) during P3 and 271 patients (25.6%) during P4. Both diameter of rectal infiltration and rate of complex surgical procedures progressively increased from P1 to P4. Bowel fistula rate was comparable between all 4 time periods, respectively 2.9, 3.3, 4 and 4.4%. Logistic regression model revealed that risk of fistula decreased when shaving was performed when compared to segmental resection (adj OR 0.1, 95% CI 0-0.5) and increased when deep endometriosis nodules also involved sacral roots (adjOR 4.9, 95%CI 1.8-13.3) and infiltration of the vagina (adj OR 3, 95%CI 1.3-7). No statistically significant relationship was found between surgery time period and risk of fistula., Conclusion: Crude rates of bowel fistula following surgical management of deep endometriosis infiltrating the colon and the rectum are not an accurate marker of surgeon expertise and should be considered in conjunction with expected higher risks related to challenging procedures performed by experienced surgeons., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: There is increasing evidence that intermediate and long-term bowel dysfunction may occur as a consequence of radical surgery for rectal deep endometriosis (DE). Typical symptoms include constipation, feeling of incomplete evacuation, clustering of stools, and urgency. This is described in the colorectal surgical literature as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Within this, several studies suggested that differences regarding functional outcomes could be favorable to more conservative surgical approaches, that is, excision of endometriotic tissue with preservation of the luminal structure of the rectal wall when compared with classical segmental resection techniques for DE, especially when performed for low DE., Material and Methods: A total of 211 patients undergoing rectal surgery for low DE (≤7 cm from the anal verge) in three different tertiary referral centers between October 2009 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed regarding major complications and LARS. From the 211 eligible patients, six women were excluded because of loss to follow-up. Finally, a total number of 205 patients were enrolled for the statistical analysis; 139 with nerve- and vessel-sparing segmental resection (NVSSR) and 66 operated for laparoscopic-transanal disk excision (LTADE) were included. Gastrointestinal functional outcomes of the two procedures were compared using the validated LARS questionnaire. The median follow-up time was 46 ± 11 months. As a secondary outcome, the surgical sequelae were examined., Results: We found no statistically significant difference between the incidence of LARS (31.7% and 37.9%, respectively) among patients operated by LTADE when compared with NVSSR (P = .4). The occurrence of LARS was positively associated with the use of protective ileostomy or colostomy (P = .02). A higher rate of severe complications was observed in women undergoing LTADE (19.7%) when compared with patients with NVSSR (9.0%, P = .029)., Conclusions: LARS is not more frequent after NVSSR when compared with a more conservative approach such as LTADE in patients undergoing rectal surgery for low DE. To confirm our findings prospective studies are required., (© 2020 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: The aim was to assess the functional outcome and quality of life in patients with low and mid rectal endometriosis who have undergone disc excision using a semicircular transanal staple device, a procedure we have named the Rouen technique., Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing the Rouen technique between October 2009 and November 2018. Preoperative and postoperative demographic and operative data were recorded prospectively (mean ± SEM). Postoperative complications were recorded using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Rectal function and quality of life were assessed by the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and Bowel Endometriosis Syndrome (BENS) scores respectively at ≥6 months., Results: The Rouen procedure was performed on 80 patients (29.7 ± 4.3). The mean diameter of resected specimens was 57 ± 10 mm, and the height of the rectal suture from the anal verge was 4.6 ± 1.2 cm. The Clavien-Dindo complications were Clavien-Dindo 1 (leg compression), Clavien-Dindo 2 (urinary tract infection, bladder self-catheterization) and Clavien-Dindo 3b (bowel obstruction, rectovaginal fistula, pyelic dilation, colorectal stenosis after resection). A rectovaginal fistula (Clavien-Dindo 3b) developed in nine (11.3%) patients and their stoma could be reversed after 99-162 days. The majority of patients (n = 50, 62.5%) had normal postoperative rectal function with LARS score ≤20. However, minor (LARS ≥ 21-29) and major rectal dysfunction (LARS ≥ 30) was seen in 18 (22.5%) and 12 (15%) patients respectively. Quality of life as measured using the BENS score was normal (BENS score 0-8) in 51 (63.8%) patients, slightly reduced (BENS score 9-16) in 24 (30%) patients and in only five (6.3%) was this a major issue (BENS score > 17). The development of a rectovaginal fistula was independently related to risk of major rectal dysfunction (adjusted OR 6.3, 95% CI 1.3-30.6)., Conclusions: In our series of 80 patients with transmural low and mid rectal endometriosis disc excision using a semicircular staple device can result in good functional outcomes and quality of life and avoid the complexity and potential complications of a low anterior resection., (© 2020 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Study Objective: To assess whether the combined vaginal-laparoscopic route may reduce the risk of postoperative bladder atony, when compared to an exclusively laparoscopic approach, in patients presenting with deeply infiltrating rectovaginal endometriosis with extensive vaginal infiltration., Design: Retrospective comparative cohort study using data prospectively recorded in the CIRENDO database., Setting: Academic Tertiary Care Centre., Patients: One hundred and thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent surgery of rectovaginal endometriosis with vaginal infiltration measuring greater than 3cm diameter., Interventions: Combined vaginal-laparoscopic versus laparoscopic approach., Measurement and Main Results: Sixty-two patients underwent excision of endometriosis via a combined vaginal-laparoscopic approach (study group, or cases), while 71 patients underwent surgery via an exclusively laparoscopic route (controls). Rates of preoperative cyclical voiding difficulty and sensation of incomplete bladder emptying were comparable between the two groups. Preoperative urodynamic assessment was carried out in 18% of cases and 38% of controls, with abnormal results in 27.3% and 11.1% of cases and controls respectively. Early postoperative voiding difficulty (post-void residual>100mL) occurred in 14.7% and 24.3% of cases and controls respectively. There was a significant reduction in risk of intermittent self-catheterisation of 13% at time of discharge in the study cases. Three months postoperatively, one case and 6 controls had persistent voiding dysfunction requiring prolonged self-catheterisation., Conclusion: The combined vaginal-laparoscopic approach for large rectovaginal endometriotic nodules could reduce the risk of postoperative bladder dysfunction, when compared to an exclusively laparoscopic approach, most likely due to a reduced risk of damage to the pelvic splanchnic nerves at the paravaginal level., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the impact of type of surgery for colorectal endometriosis-rectal shaving or discoid resection or segmental colorectal resection-on complications and surgical outcomes., Data Sources: We performed a systematic review of all English- and French-language full-text articles addressing the surgical management of colorectal endometriosis, and compared the postoperative complications according to surgical technique by meta-analysis. The PubMed, Clinical Trials.gov, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant studies published before March 27, 2020. The search strategy used the following Medical Subject Headings terms: ("bowel endometriosis" or "colorectal endometriosis") AND ("surgery for endometriosis" or "conservative management" or "radical management" or "colorectal resection" or "shaving" or "full thickness resection" or "disc excision") AND ("treatment", "outcomes", "long term results" and "complications")., Methods of Study Selection: Two authors conducted the literature search and independently screened abstracts for inclusion, with resolution of any difference by 3 other authors. Studies were included if data on surgical management (shaving, disc excision, and/or segmental resection) were provided and if postoperative outcomes were detailed with at least the number of complications. The risk of bias was assessed according to the Cochrane recommendations., Tabulation, Integration, and Results: Of the 168 full-text articles assessed for eligibility, 60 were included in the qualitative synthesis. Seventeen of these were included in the meta-analysis on rectovaginal fistula, 10 on anastomotic leakage, 5 on anastomotic stenosis, and 9 on voiding dysfunction <30 days. The mean complication rate according to shaving, disc excision, and segmental resection were 2.2%, 9.7%, and 9.9%, respectively. Rectal shaving was less associated with rectovaginal fistula than disc excision (odds ratio [OR] = 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10-0.36; p <.001; I 2  = 33%) and segmental colorectal resection (OR = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.15-0.44; p <.001; I 2  = 0%). No difference was found in the occurrence of rectovaginal fistula between disc excision and segmental colorectal resection (OR = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.70-1.63; p = .76; I 2  = 0%). Rectal shaving was less associated with leakage than disc excision (OR = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.06-0.73; p = .01; I 2  = 86%). No difference was found in the occurrence of leakage between rectal shaving and segmental colorectal resection (OR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.10-1.01; p = .05; I 2  = 71%) or between disc excision and segmental colorectal resection (OR = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.30-1.58; p = .38; I 2  = 0%). Disc excision was less associated with anastomotic stenosis than segmental resection (OR = 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.48; p = .001; I 2  = 59%). Disc excision was associated with more voiding dysfunction <30 days than rectal shaving (OR = 12.9; 95% CI, 1.40-119.34; p = .02; I 2  = 0%). No difference was found in the occurrence of voiding dysfunction <30 days between segmental resection and rectal shaving (OR = 3.05; 95% CI, 0.55-16.87; p = .20; I 2  = 0%) or between segmental colorectal and discoid resections (OR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.54-1.85; p = .99; I 2  = 71%)., Conclusion: Colorectal surgery for endometriosis exposes patients to a risk of severe complications such as rectovaginal fistula, anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stenosis, and voiding dysfunction. Rectal shaving seems to be less associated with postoperative complications than disc excision and segmental colorectal resection. However, this technique is not suitable for all patients with large bowel infiltration. Compared with segmental colorectal resection, disc excision has several advantages, including shorter operating time, shorter hospital stay, and lower risk of postoperative bowel stenosis., (Copyright © 2020 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Question: What is the prevalence of laparoscopically nonvisualized palpable satellite bowel nodules at or near the planned stapler site in women undergoing segmental bowel resection for endometriosis?, Summary Answer: Overall, 13 (25.5%) of 51 patients who underwent resection had nonvisualized palpable satellite lesions as small as 2 mm, including seven (14%) who had nonvisualized palpable lesions at or beyond the planned stapler site., What Is Known Already: Both laparoscopy and laparotomy for bowel resection are standard of care in Europe and the USA. Reoperation rates after laparoscopic bowel procedures are 1-16%. Endometriotic lesions at the stapler margin of bowel resections are associated with increased repeat surgery. Nodules of 0.1 mm to 1 cm in size were not recognized during laparoscopic bowel surgery but were recognized on histological examination. Up to 20 nodules not visualized at laparoscopy have been recognized and excised at laparotomy. Tenderness is found at up to 27 mm from a recognized lesion. The size of a lesion does not always predict its symptoms or behavior., Study Design, Size, Duration: This single-arm, observational study focused on the presence of nonvisualized palpable satellite lesions of the bowel. Fifty-one patients scheduled for laparoscopic-assisted bowel resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis with suprapubic incision for placement of the stapler's anvil and removal of the specimen in the course of routine clinical care were included. There were no additional inclusion or exclusion criteria., Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Laparoscopic-assisted segmental bowel resection for endometriosis was performed in a private referral center on women aged 24-49 years., Main Results and the Role of Chance: Forty-nine (96.1%) of the 51 patients underwent segmental resection of the sigmoid or rectum, and 14 (27.5%) underwent segmental resection of the ileum for large nodule(s) recognized on MRI. Twelve patients underwent both procedures. Eleven (22.4%) of the 49 patients with recognized sigmoid or rectal lesions and 5 (35.7%) of the 14 patients with recognized ileal lesions had nonvisualized, palpable, satellite lesions. All the large lesions and none of the satellite lesions had been recognized preoperatively on MRI. Five (10%) of 49 patients with lesions of the large bowel and 4 (28.6%) of the 14 patients with lesions of the ileum had nonvisualized palpable satellite lesions at or beyond the planned stapler site. Lesions as small as 2 mm were palpable., Limitations, Reasons for Caution: This is an observational study. It is not known if the small lesions of this study contributed to the symptoms or were progressive, stable or regressive. This study analyzed lesions in the bowel segment proximal to the primary large bowel lesion, but not in the distal segment as that would have required a change in standard of care surgical technique. This study protocol did not include shaving or disk resection or patients in whom no lesions were visualized. The use of additional techniques for recognition, such as hand-assisted laparoscopy or rectal probes, was not investigated., Wider Implications of the Findings: This study confirms that some nonvisualized satellite lesions as small as 2 mm are palpable and that an increased length of resection can be used to remove lesions recognized by palpation and to avoid lesions at and beyond the stapler site. This may decrease recurrent surgery in 1-16% of the women undergoing surgery for bowel endometriosis. Knowledge of the occurrence of these small lesions may also be particularly useful in plans for repeat surgery or for women with clinically significant bowel symptoms and no visible lesions at laparoscopy. Moreover, small lesions are considered to be important as there is no current technique to determine whether a large primary lesion, smaller lesions, an associated adjacent tissue reaction or a combination of those cause symptoms., Study Funding/competing Interest(s): This CIRENDO cohort was supported by the G4 Group (the University Hospitals of Rouen, Lille, Amiens and Caen) and the ROUENDOMETRIOSE association. No specific funding was received for the study. H.R. reports receiving personal fees from Plasma Surgical Inc., Ethicon Endosurgery, Olympus and Nordic Pharma for presentations related to his experience with endometriosis surgery. D.C.M. reports being given access to Lumenis Surgical CO2 Lasers' lab at a meeting. None of the other authors have conflicts of interest to disclose., Trial Registration Number: N/A., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.)

Objective: Deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum may be managed by full-thickness disc excision, with the goal of preserving rectal function and avoiding low anterior rectal resection syndrome (Supplemental Appendix 1). Transanal staplers may be successfully used to remove rectal wall discs and concomitantly to perform rectal suture. The goal of this video article is to identify 10 steps that may render the procedure standardized and reproducible., Design: Step-by-step video demonstration of the procedure., Setting: A French tertiary referral center., Interventions: The video presents disc excision of deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum using a transanal circular stapler, following 10 steps: (1) nodule dissection and rectum releasing; (2) rectal shaving; (3) removal of fat tissue on the lateral rectal wall; (4) placement of a suture on the shaved area; (5) introduction of the closed transanal circular stapler; (6) stapler opening at the nodule's level; (7) knot performing; (8) stapler closing and firing; (9) stitches reinforcing the stapled line; and (10) performing a bubbles test. From 2009 to 2020, the author has performed this procedure in 205 patients: the mean disc diameter was 40 ± 8 mm; microscopic foci were found on the disc edges in 25.7%; and the rectal recurrence rate was 1.5%, whereas the leakage rate was 4.4%. The local institutional review board stated that approval was not required because the video describes a technique and does not report a clinical case., Conclusion: Disc excision using a transanal circular stapler following 10 steps is a standardized and reproducible procedure. The learning curve may be short because colorectal surgeons routinely employ the stapler to perform laparoscopic colorectal anastomosis., (Copyright © 2020 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To assess the prevalence, risk factors, and management of bowel stenosis after surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectosigmoid using either disk excision (DE) or segmental resection (SR)., Design: Retrospective study using data from consecutive cases recorded in the North-West Inter Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis database., Setting: University tertiary referral center., Patients: Four hundred thirty-one consecutive patients managed for rectosigmoid endometriosis were enrolled in our study., Interventions: Laparoscopic SR or DE., Measurements and Main Results: One hundred sixty-five patients underwent DE, and 266 patients underwent SR. Large nodules ≥3 cm in diameter were more frequent in the SR group (73.3% vs 66.1%), whereas nodules infiltrating the low rectum were 3 times more frequent in the DE group (35.9% vs 11.3%). The frequency of vaginal excision (67.9% vs 62%) and stoma (46.7% vs 44.4%) were comparable between the DE and SR groups. Twenty-three patients presented with postoperative colorectal stenosis after SR (8.6%) versus none after DE (p <.001). Treatment of colorectal stenosis involved dilatation in 20 (87%) cases and SR in 4 (17.4%) cases. For 1 patient, dilatation resulted in rectosigmoid injury requiring SR, followed by rectovaginal fistula. The logistic regression model identified a diverting stoma as the sole risk factor independently related to the risk of postoperative stenosis after SR., Conclusion: Bowel stenosis after surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis occurred in patients who underwent SR, most of them with a diverting stoma, whereas no cases of stenosis were reported in patients who underwent DE, with or without stoma., (Copyright © 2020 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To report the technique of double disk excision of deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the mid or low rectum and surgical outcomes., Design: A retrospective case series using data prospectively recorded in the North-West Inter Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis database., Setting: University tertiary referral center., Patients: Twenty women managed for large deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the mid or low rectum., Interventions: Double disk excision using transanal end-to-end anastomosis circular stapler., Measurements and Main Results: Twenty women managed by double disk excision from May 2016 to September 2019 were included in the study. The mean time of intervention was 149 ± 74 minutes. The cumulated mean diameter of the excised rectal disks was 53.4 ± 19.1 mm, whereas in 85% of the women, it was ≥50 mm. The mean distance between the lowest margin of the disk and the anal verge was 66 mm. Vaginal infiltration was removed in 15 patients (75%), and in 6 patients (30%) it exceeded 30 mm in diameter. Owing to the presence of sigmoid colon nodules, 2 patients (10%) underwent concomitant segmental sigmoid resection of 4 cm and 6 cm in length, respectively. Transitory stoma was performed in 8 patients (40%) owing to concomitant vaginal excision >3 cm in size. After a follow-up varying from 3 months to 42 months, no digestive fistula was recorded. The rate of Clavien-Dindo 3 complications was 15%., Conclusion: Double disk excision is suitable for excising large deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the mid or low rectum and is associated with a low severe complication rate with good functional outcomes in women. Further studies are required to assess the improvement of functional outcomes in deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the mid or low rectum in comparison with colorectal resection., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objective: Surgical management of deep endometriosis is associated with a high incidence of lower urinary tract dysfunction. The aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the rates of voiding dysfunction according to colorectal shaving, discoid excision, and segmental resection for deep endometriosis., Data Sources: We performed a systematic review using bibliographic citations from PubMed, Clinical Trials.gov, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. Medical Subject Headings terms for colorectal endometriosis and voiding dysfunction were combined and restricted to the French and English languages. The final search was performed on August 28, 2019. The outcome measured was the occurrence of postoperative voiding dysfunction., Methods of Study Selection: Study Quality Assessment Tools were used to assess the quality of included studies. Studies rated as good and fair were included. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of each included study, discrepancies were discussed; if consensus was not reached, a third reviewer was consulted., Tabulation, Integration and Results: Out of 201 relevant published reports, 51 studies were ultimately reviewed systematically and 13 were included in the meta-analysis. Rectal shaving was statistically less associated with postoperative voiding dysfunction than segmental colorectal resection (Odds ratio [OR] 0.34; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.18-0.63; I 2  = 0%; p <.001) or discoid excision (OR 0.22; 95% CI, 0.09-0.51; I 2  = 0%; p  <.001). No significant difference was noted when comparing discoid excision and segmental colorectal resection (OR 0.74; 95% CI, 0.32-1.69; I 2  = 29%; p = .47). Similarly, rectal shaving was associated with a lower risk of self-catheterization >1 month than segmental colorectal resection (OR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.14-0.66; I 2  = 0%; p = .003). This outcome was no longer significant when comparing discoid excision and segmental colorectal resection (OR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.4-1.31; I 2  = 63%; p = .28)., Conclusion: Colorectal surgery for endometriosis has a significant impact on urinary function regardless of the technique. However, rectal shaving causes less postoperative voiding dysfunction than discoid excision or segmental resection., (Copyright © 2020 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The aim of our study is to describe MRI appearance of a posterior rectal pouch (PRP) for patients managed for low rectal endometriosis by large full-thickness disc excision and to assess its relationship with postoperative functional digestive symptoms., Material and Methods: Single center retrospective study including patients managed by low/mid rectal disc excision using a semi-circular stapler (the Rouen technique) from June 2009 to October 2016. Intraoperative findings and data provided by standardized gastrointestinal self-questionnaires (GIQLI, KESS, Wexner and Bristol), before and 1 year after the surgery, were prospectively recorded. Postoperative pelvic MRI were reviewed and PRP was assessed in three planes and its volume was estimated on a 3D T2 weighted sequence., Results: Eighteen patients were included in the study. All patients had postoperative PRP while none of them presented with rectal stenosis. The mean (± SD) volume of the PRP was estimated at 66 ± 32 mL. The mean antero-posterior diameter was 56 mm ± 22 mm, mean height at 44 mm ± 15 mm and mean width at 46 mm ± 11 mm. No positive correlation between the volume of the PRP and the GIQLI questionnaire was found at one year after surgery (r = -0.24, 95%CI -0.51-0.69, p = 0.44)., Conclusion: Large disc excision of low and mid rectum leads to a posterior rectal pouch, with no significant impact on postoperative functional digestive outcomes, but it is not followed by bowel stenosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest No specific financial support was received for this study. Horace Roman received personal fees for participation in masterclasses organized by PlasmaSurgical Inc and ETHICON Endosurgery., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Study Question: What are the risk factors and prevalence of bowel fistula following surgical management of deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectosigmoid and how can it be managed?, Summary Answer: In patients managed for deep endometriosis of the rectosigmoid, risk of fistula is increased by bowel opening during both segmental colorectal resection and disc excision and rectovaginal fistula repair is more challenging than for bowel leakage., What Is Known Already: Bowel fistula is known to be a severe complication of colorectal endometriosis surgery; however, there is little available data on its prevalence in large series or on specific management., Study Design, Size, Duration: A retrospective study employing data prospectively recorded in the North-West Inter Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis (CIRENDO) from June 2009 to May 2019, in three tertiary referral centres., Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: One thousand one hundred and two patients presenting with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectosigmoid, who were managed by shaving, disc excision or colorectal resection. The prevalence of bowel fistula was assessed, and factors related to the complication and its surgical management., Main Results and the Role of Chance: Of 1102 patients enrolled in the study, 52.5% had a past history of gynaecological surgery and 52.7% had unsuccessfully attempted to conceive for over 12 months. Digestive tract subocclusion/occlusion was recorded in 12.7%, hydronephrosis in 4.5% and baseline severe bladder dysfunction in 1.5%. An exclusive laparoscopic approach was carried out in 96.8% of patients. Rectal shaving was performed in 31.9%, disc excision in 23.1%, colorectal resection in 35.8% and combined disc excision and sigmoid colon resection in 2.9%. For various reasons, the nodule was not completely removed in 6.4%, while in 7.2% of cases complementary procedures on the ileum, caecum and right colon were required. Parametrium excision was performed in 7.8%, dissection and excision of sacral roots in 4%, and surgery for ureteral endometriosis in 11.9%. Diverting stoma was performed in 21.8%. Thirty-seven patients presented with bowel fistulae (3.4%) of whom 23 (62.2%) were found to have rectovaginal fistulae and 14 (37.8%) leakage. Logistic regression model showed rectal lumen opening to increase risk of fistula when compared with shaving, regardless of nodule size: adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for disc excision, colorectal resection and association of disc excision + segmental resection was 6.8 (1.9-23.8), 4.8 (1.4-16.9) and 11 (2.1-58.6), respectively. Repair of 23 rectovaginal fistulae required 1, 2, 3 or 4 additional surgical procedures in 12 (52.2%), 8 (34.8%), 2 (8.7%) and 1 patient (4.3%), respectively. Repair of leakage in 14 patients required 1 procedure (stoma) in 12 cases (85.7%) and a second procedure (colorectal resection) in 2 cases (14.3%). All patients, excepted five women managed by delayed coloanal anastomosis, underwent a supplementary surgical procedure for stoma repair. The period of time required for diverting stoma following repair of rectovaginal fistulae was significantly longer than for repair of leakages (median values 10 and 5 months, respectively, P = 0.008)., Limitations, Reasons for Caution: The main limits relate to the heterogeneity of techniques used in removal of rectosigmoid nodules and repairing fistulae, the lack of accurate information about the level of nodules, the small number of centres and that a majority of patients were managed by one surgeon., Wider Implications of the Findings: Deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectosigmoid can be managed laparoscopically with a relatively low risk of bowel fistula. When the type of bowel procedure can be chosen, performance of shaving instead of disc excision or colorectal resection is suggested considering the lower risk of bowel fistula. Rectovaginal fistula repair is more challenging than for bowel leakage and may require up to four additional surgical procedures., Study Funding/competing Interest(s): CIRENDO is financed by the G4 Group (The University Hospitals of Rouen, Lille, Amiens and Caen) and the ROUENDOMETRIOSE Association. No financial support was received for this study. H.R. reports personal fees from ETHICON, Plasma Surgical, Olympus and Nordic Pharma outside the submitted work. The other authors declare no conflict of interests related to this topic., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.)

Objective: The recurrence rate after colorectal surgery for endometriosis is up to 50% at 5 years. The aim of the current review and meta-analysis was to assess recurrence associated with shaving, disc excision, and segmental resection for endometriosis with colorectal involvement., Data Sources: A systematic review was performed by searching the PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for publications before February 28, 2019, using the terms "colorectal endometriosis" and "recurrence" in English. The outcome measure was histologically proven recurrence 1 year after the index surgery., Methods of Study Selection: Studies rated as good or fair by a study quality assessment tool were included. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the studies; discrepancies were discussed, and if a consensus was not reached, a third reviewer was consulted., Tabulation, Integration, and Results: Of 156 relevant published trials, 41 were systematically reviewed and 4 were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of recurrence was higher after rectal shaving than after both segmental resection (odds ratio [OR], 5.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.33-13.12; I 2  = 0%; p = .001) and disc excision for histologically proven recurrence (OR, 3.83; 95% CI, 1.33-11.05; I 2  = 0%; p = .01). This difference was not significant when comparing disc excision with segmental resection (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 0.8-8.65; I 2  = 0%; p = .11)., Conclusion: The current analysis shows that the risk of recurrence is lower when segmental resection or disc excision is performed than when rectal shaving is performed. This finding is important when deciding the most appropriate surgical management., (Copyright © 2019 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Question: Is there a difference in functional outcomes and recurrence rate between conservative versus radical rectal surgery in patients with large deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum 5 years postoperatively?, Summary Answer: No evidence was found that long-term outcomes differed when nodule excision was compared to rectal resection for deeply invasive endometriosis involving the bowel., What Is Known Already: Functional outcomes of nodule excision and rectal resection for deeply invasive endometriosis involving the bowel are comparable 2 years after surgery. Despite numerous previously reported case series enrolling patients managed for colorectal endometriosis, long-term data remain scarce in the literature., Study Design, Size, Duration: From March 2011 to August 2013, we performed a two-arm randomized trial, enrolling 60 patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum up to 15 cm from the anus, measuring >20 mm in length, involving at least the muscular layer in depth, and up to 50% of rectal circumference. Among them, 55 women were enrolled at one tertial referral centre in endometriosis, using a randomization list drawn up separately for this centre. Institute review board approval was obtained to continue follow-up to 10 years postoperatively. One patient requested to stop the follow-up 2 years after surgery., Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Patients underwent either nodule excision by shaving or disc excision, or segmental resection. Randomization was performed preoperatively using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes, and patients were informed of randomization results. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients experiencing one of the following symptoms: constipation (1 stool/>5 consecutive days), frequent bowel movements (≥3 stools/day), anal incontinence, dysuria or bladder atony requiring self-catheterization 24 months postoperatively. Secondary endpoints were values taken from the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott-symptom questionnaire (KESS), the gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI), the Wexner scale, the urinary symptom profile (USP) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF36)., Main Results and the Role of Chance: Fifty-five patients were enrolled. Among the 27 patients in the excision arm, two were converted to segmental resection (7.4%). One patient managed by segmental resection withdrew from the study 2 years postoperatively, presuming that associated pain of other aetiologies may have jeopardized the outcomes. The 5 year-recurrence rate for excision and resection was 3.7% versus 0% (P = 1), respectively. For excision and resection, the primary endpoint was present in 44.4% versus 60.7% of patients (P = 0.29), respectively, while 55.6% versus 53.6% of patients subjectively reported normal bowel movements (P = 1). An intention-to-treat comparison of overall KESS, GIQLI, Wexner, USP and SF36 scores did not reveal significant differences between the two arms 5 years postoperatively. Statistically significant improvement was observed shortly after surgery with no further improvement or impairment recorded 1-5 years postoperatively. During the 5-year follow-up, additional surgical procedures were performed in 25.9% versus 28.6% of patients who had undergone excision or resection (P = 0.80), respectively., Limitations, Reasons for Caution: The presumption of a 40% difference concerning postoperative functional outcomes in favour of nodule excision resulted in a lack of power for demonstration of the primary endpoint difference., Wider Implications of the Findings: Five-year follow-up data do not show statistically significant differences between conservative and radical rectal surgery for long-term functional digestive and urinary outcomes in this specific population of women with large involvement of the rectum., Study Funding/competing Interest(s): No specific funding was received. Patient enrolment and follow-up until 2 years postoperatively was supported by a grant from the clinical research programme for hospitals in France. The authors declare no competing interests related to this study., Trial Registration Number: This randomized study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01291576., Trial Registration Date: 31 January 2011., Date of First Patient’s Enrolment: 7 March 2011., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permission@oup.com.)

Aim: Using a prospective database of discoid resection performed in two tertiary referral centres, the aim of this study is to assess the feasibility, short-term complication rates and clinical outcomes, including voiding dysfunction, of the procedure., Method: A retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort database was conducted from February 2010 to October 2017 in two tertiary referral centres. One hundred and forty-eight consecutive patients scheduled for colorectal endometriosis by discoid resection were enrolled. The median follow-up was 21 months. All the women underwent complete preoperative assessment (MRI, transvaginal ultrasonography and rectal echo-endoscopy) before the removal of colorectal endometriosis. Postoperative complications were classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system as minor (grades I and II) or major (grades IIIA, IIIB and IV). Cases of voiding dysfunction were also noted., Results: The procedure was abandoned in seven patients. In 91 (64.5%) of the remaining 141 patients, the diameter of discoid resection removed was ≥ 30 mm. Surgery was performed by laparoscopy in 137/141 cases (92.7%). Grade I-III complications were observed in 37 patients (26.2%) with 11 grade IIIb (7.8%). Postoperative voiding dysfunction occurred in 16 patients (11.3%), 11 of whom required self-catheterization for < 1 month. In a multivariate analysis including age, body mass index, lesion size and history of previous surgery for endometriosis, a history of previous surgery was independently correlated to complication outcome (P = 0.043)., Conclusions: This analysis suggests that discoid resection is associated with good short-term results for women with colorectal endometriosis in a tertiary referral centre as it is associated with a low rate of postoperative complications., (Colorectal Disease © 2019 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Background: Predictive factors of functional outcomes after the surgery of rectal endometriosis are not well identified. Our recent randomized trial did not find significant differences between functional outcomes in patients managed by radical or conservative rectal surgery., Objective: To identify preoperative factors which determine functional outcomes of surgery in patients with rectal endometriosis., Study Design: We performed a cohort study on the population of a 2-arm randomised trial, from March 2011 to August 2013. Patients were enrolled in three French university hospitals and had either conservative surgery by shaving or disc excision, or radical rectal surgery by segmental resection. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients experiencing one of the following symptoms: constipation, frequent bowel movements, anal incontinence, dysuria or bladder atony requiring self-catheterisation 24 months postoperatively. Secondary endpoints were the values of the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott-Symptom Questionnaire (KESS), the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), the Wexner scale, the Urinary Symptom Profile (USP) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF36). A logistic regression model based on backward selection was used to screen for baseline factors that could impact the primary endpoint. A generalized estimating equations model for repeated measures was used to assess whether a trend could be observed over the follow-up period as regards gastrointestinal and quality of life scores., Results: 60 patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum were managed by conservative surgery (27 cases) and segmental colorectal resection (33 cases). The primary endpoint was recorded in 26 patients (48.1% for conservative surgery vs. 39.4% for radical surgery, OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.22-2.21). There was a significant improvement in values of all gastrointestinal, quality of life and urinary scores after surgery. Comparing patients with KESS scores < 10 (reference) to those with scores between 10 and 17 (OR = 2.1, 95%CI 0.4-12.2), as well as those with scores >17 (OR = 11.1, 95%CI 2.2-20.5), revealed that the odds to record the primary endpoint are significantly higher in the latter group. Trend analyses suggest that the odds of an elevated KESS score are significantly higher at baseline than at 6 months, but significantly lower after 12 months., Conclusions: Patients with severe preoperative constipation are less likely to achieve normal bowel movements after surgery for rectal endometriosis, using either radical or conservative rectal procedures., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Deep endometriosis may simultaneously infiltrate the vagina and the rectosigmoid, which associated resection may increase the risk of postoperative complications. Among these complications, rectovaginal fistula is one of the worst. To reduce the risk of rectovaginal fistula and related complications, surgeons may employ diverting stoma. The literature is rich in data concerning the usefulness of stoma in patients managed for low rectal cancer. However, extrapolation of these data to patients managed for rectal endometriosis is disputable. For this reason, there are no guidelines on the role of stoma in preventing rectovaginal fistula in patients managed for colorectal endometriosis. The objective of our study was to assess the risk of complications related to the use of stoma in patients managed for colorectal endometriosis., Study Design: A retrospective comparative study has been performed using data prospectively recorded in the CIRENDO database. 163 consecutive women with colorectal endometriosis who had temporary stoma have been enrolled at the University Hospital of Rouen, from June 2009 to December 2016. The main outcome was stoma-related complications rate using Clavien-Dindo classification. No women were lost to follow-up., Results: Among the 163 women, 158 (96.9%) had a primary diverting stoma and 5 women (3.1%) with an immediate post-surgical bowel fistula had a secondary diverting stoma. Stoma involved the ileum in 28 women (17.2%) and the colon in 135 (82.8%). Surgical management of the rectosigmoid junction was rectal shaving in 2 women (1.2%), disc excision in 62 (38%), colorectal resection in 87 (53.4%), and combined rectal disc excision and sigmoid colon segmental resection in 12 (7.4%). Clavien Dindo I stoma-related complications occurred in 38 patients (23.3%) and were related to abnormal healing of stoma scar. Most Clavien-Dindo II complications were wound or urinary infections following stoma closure. Clavien Dindo III complications occurred in 14 patients (8.6%) and were related to leakage, hemoperitoneum, hernia of the abdominal wall, subcutaneous abscess and bowel obstruction syndrome., Conclusion: Specific complications may occur directly related to the use of stoma in the surgery of deep endometriosis of the rectosigmoid. The risk of these complications should be taken into account and full preoperative information should be provided to patients and their family., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Study Question: What are fertility outcomes in patients surgically managed for large deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum who intend to get pregnant postoperatively?, Summary Answer: Surgical management for rectal endometriosis is followed by high pregnancy rates, with a majority of natural conceptions., What Is Known Already: Optimal management such as surgery versus first-line ART for patients with severe deep endometriosis who desire pregnancy is not defined., Study Design, Size, Duration: The study included the patients enrolled in ENDORE randomized trial who attempted pregnancy after the surgery. From March 2011 to August 2013, we performed a two-arm randomized trial, enrolling 60 patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum up to 15 cm from the anus, measuring more than 20 mm in length, involving at least the muscular layer in depth, and up to 50% of rectal circumference. Postoperative follow-up was prolonged in 55 patients recruited at Rouen University Hospital, and varied from 50 to 79 months. No women were lost to follow-up., Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Patients had either conservative surgery by shaving or disc excision, or radical rectal surgery by segmental resection. One gynecologist experienced in deep endometriosis surgery performed all the procedures, assisted when required by three general surgeons experienced in colorectal surgery. Institutional review board approval was obtained to extend postoperative follow-up to 10 years after the surgery. Among patients enrolled at Rouen University Hospital, women who intended to get pregnant after surgery were selected and followed up postoperatively every 6 months for 2 years, then every year. Pregnancy intention, fertility outcomes, conception mode, endometriosis recurrences and digestive and urinary outcomes were rigorously recorded. The primary outcome was postoperative pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes were conception mode, the delay to conception from the day of surgery and the day when hormonal treatment was stopped, and delivery rate. Kaplan Meier curves were used to estimate the probability of conception after surgery., Main Results and the Role of Chance: Among the 55 patients enrolled at Rouen University Hospital, 25 had conservative and 30 had radical surgery, and their postoperative follow-up varied from 50 to 79 months. No patient was lost to follow-up. Among the 55 patients, 36 intended to get pregnant after surgery, 23 of whom had unsuccessfully attempted to conceive for more than 12 months before surgery (63%). At the end of follow-up, 29 patients achieved pregnancy (81%), and natural conception was recorded in 17 of them (59% of conceptions). As several women had more than 1 pregnancy (range: 0-3), we recorded 37 pregnancies, 24 natural conceptions (65%) and 29 deliveries (78%). The probabilities of achieving pregnancy at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months postoperatively were 33.4% (95% CI: 20.6-51.3%), 60.6% (44.8-76.8%), 77% (61.5-89.6%) and 86.8% (72.8-95.8%), respectively. Women who had been advised to attempt natural conception achieved pregnancy significantly earlier than patients referred for ART (P = 0.008). In infertile patients, the postoperative pregnancy rate was 74%, and 53% of conceptions were natural., Limitations, Reasons for Caution: The main outcomes of the original trial were related to digestive function and not to fertility. Several factors impacting fertility could not be revealed due to small sample size. The study included a high percentage of young women with an overall satisfactory prognosis for fertility, as patients' median age was 28 years. The inclusion of only large infiltrations of the rectum does not allow the extrapolation of conclusions to small nodules of <2 cm in length. Only one skilled gynecologic surgeon performed all the procedures., Wider Implications of the Findings: First-line surgery can be considered in patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum and pregnancy intention. Patients receiving advice from experienced surgeons on conception modes were more likely to conceive faster after surgery., Study Funding/competing Interest(s): This work was supported by a grant from the clinical research program for hospitals (PHRC) in France. The authors declare no competing interests related to this study., Trial Registration Number: The original randomized trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT 01291576).

Study Objective: To evaluate whether combining computed tomography-based virtual colonoscopy (CTC) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improves preoperative assessment of colorectal endometriosis., Design: Retrospective study using prospectively recorded data (Canadian Task Force classification II-2)., Setting: University tertiary referral center., Patients: Seventy-one women treated for colorectal endometriosis managed between June 2015 and May 2016., Interventions: Patients included in our study underwent colorectal surgery for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum or the sigmoid colon and had preoperative assessment using MRI and CTC. To establish the correlation between preoperative and intraoperative findings, the concordance kappa index was used., Measurements and Main Results: Preoperative data provided by MRI, CTC, and a combination of both were compared with intraoperative findings. All 71 patients had a total of 105 endometriotic intestinal lesions intraoperatively confirmed. Some 71.2% of rectal nodules and 60.0% of sigmoid nodules infiltrated the muscularis propria of the intestinal wall, with most infiltrating between 25% and 50% of the rectal circumference; 73% of rectal nodules and 96% of sigmoid nodules led to varying degrees of stenosis. The concordance between intraoperative and preoperative findings concerning the presence of rectal nodules was high, at .88 when associating CTC with MRI, whereas each imaging technique taken individually provided lower concordance coefficients. In our study 80.3% of patients underwent the procedure that had been preoperatively planned., Conclusion: Our study suggests that associating MRI with CTC leads to improved accuracy in preoperative assessment of colorectal endometriosis and in subsequent preoperative choice of surgical procedures on the digestive tract., (Copyright © 2018 American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate delivery and neonatal outcomes in women with resected or in situ bowel endometriosis., Design: Retrospective cohort study., Setting: France., Population and Sample: Analysis of 72 pregnancies from 67 women followed for colorectal endometriosis from 2001 to 2014 in six centres including two university expert centres for endometriosis., Methods: Univariate analysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes., Main Outcome Measures: Routes for delivery and rate of complications., Results: The colorectal surgery group comprised 41 women and the in situ colorectal group, 26 women. Overall, half of the women underwent caesarean section. A high incidence of postoperative complications (39%) was observed after caesarean section with no difference between the groups. Surgical difficulties at newborn extraction (22%) and postoperative complications (39%) occurred more often in women with anterior deep infiltrating endometriosis (respectively 63 versus 11%, P = 0.007 and 67% versus 26%, P = 0.046) independently of prior surgery for endometriosis. In the remaining half, vaginal delivery required an operative procedure in 28% of the women with a significant increase in postpartum complications compared with those who did not require a procedure (P = 0.001). Overall, the incidence of postpartum complications was lower after vaginal delivery (14%) than after caesarean section (39%) (P = 0.03)., Conclusion: Pregnant women with colorectal endometriosis, irrespective of prior surgery, should be informed of the high risk of delivery by caesarean section. Vaginal delivery is preferrable in this setting because of the lower incidence of postpartum complications., Tweetable Abstract: Due to the incidence of postpartum complications whatever the route of delivery, women should receive level III maternal care., (© 2016 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)

National and international guidelines recommend referring patients with severe forms of endometriosis to expert centers. However, there is a lack of clear criteria to define an expert center. We examined the roles of surgeon and hospital procedure volumes as determinants of morbidity in deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum and sigmoid colon (DIERS)., Methods: We conducted a French retrospective multicenter study of hospital facilities performing colorectal surgery for DIERS in 2015. The primary end point was to analyze the relation between case volume and the incidence of complications. We estimated the optimal cut-off (OCO) determined by a minimal p-value approach., Results: The study included 56 hospital facilities and collected data of 1135 cases of surgical management of colorectal endometriosis. The mean and median number of procedures per year and per surgeon were 9.17 and 5.58, respectively. The overall rate of grade III-V complication was 7.6% (82/1135). One grade V complication occurred. The rates of rectovaginal fistula, anastomotic leakage, pelvic abscess, and ureteral fistula were: 2.7% (31/1135), 0.79% (9/1135), 3.4% (39/1135), and 0.70% (8/1135), respectively. An OCO of 20 procedures per center and per year (p < 0.001) was defined. The OCO per surgeon and per year varied between seven (p = 0.007) and 13 procedures (p = 0.03). In a multivariate analysis, we found that only the volume of activity was independently correlated to complication outcomes (p = 0.0013)., Conclusion: Our results contribute to providing objective morbidity data to determine criteria for defining expert centers for colorectal surgery for endometriosis.

Study Objective: To document the presence of bowel invisible microscopic endometriosis implants and their relationship with deep endometriosis macronodule infiltrating the bowel., Design: A series of consecutive patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum and/or sigmoid colon (Canadian Task Force classification II-2)., Settings: A university referral center., Patients: Ten patients managed by colorectal resection., Interventions: A microscopic study of endometriotic foci of the bowel involving 3272 microsection slides was established using a unique method of step serial sections using combined transverse and longitudinal macrosection. Two-dimensional reconstruction based on slide scanning highlighted the presence and localization of the deep endometriosis macronodule in contrast with bowel invisible microscopic endometriosis microimplants., Measurements and Main Results: The distance separating the microimplants and the nodule and their histologic characteristics. The mean length of the colorectal specimens was 91 ± 19 mm. The maximum distance between the farthest microimplants was 7.2 cm. The maximum distance from the macroscopic nodule limit to the farthest microimplant was 31 mm. Bowel invisible microscopic endometriosis microimplants presented with similar features independently of the type of spread. They had an active appearance including stroma and glands, were sometimes decidualized, and were free of fibrosis. They were found on the distal/rectal limit of the specimen in 3 patients and on both limits (distal/rectal and proximal/sigmoid colon) in 1 patient., Conclusion: Invisible microscopic endometriosis implants surround the bowel macroscopic endometriosis nodule at variable distances, suggesting that complete surgical microscopic removal may be a challenging goal. These results may help to reconsider the principles and feasibility of the surgical management of bowel endometriosis., (Copyright © 2017 American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Deep endometriosis with colorectal involvement is considered one of the most severe forms of the disease due to its impact on patients' quality of life and fertility but also by the difficulties encountered by the clinicians when proposing a therapeutic strategy. Although the literature is very rich, evidence based medicine remains poor explaining the great heterogeneity concerning the management of such patients. Surgery therefore remains a therapeutic option. It improves the intensity of gynecological, digestive and general symptoms and the quality of life. Concerning the surgical approach, it appears that laparoscopy should be the first option; the laparoscopic robot-assisted route can also be proposed. The techniques of rectal shaving, discoid resection and segmental resection are the three techniques used for surgical excision of colorectal endometriosis. The parameters taken into account for the use of either technique are: the surgeon's experience, the depth of infiltration of the lesion within the rectosigmoid wall, the lesion size and circumference, multifocality and the distance of the lesion from the anal margin. In the case of deep endometriosis with colorectal involvement, performing an incomplete surgery increases the rate of pain recurrence and decreases postoperative fertility. In case of surgery for colorectal endometriosis, pregnancy rates are similar to those obtained after ART in non-operated patients. Existing data are insufficient to formally recommend first line surgery or ART in infertile patients with colorectal endometriosis. The surgery for colorectal endometriosis exposes to a risk of postoperative complications and recurrence of which the patients should be informed preoperatively., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Study Objective: To report postoperative outcomes after dual digestive resection for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum and the colon., Design: A retrospective study using data prospectively recorded in the CIRENDO database (Canadian Task Force classification II-2)., Setting: A university tertiary referral center., Patients: Twenty-one patients managed for multiple colorectal deep endometriosis infiltrating nodules., Interventions: Concomitant disc excision and segmental resection of both the rectum and sigmoid colon., Measurements and Main Results: The assessment of postoperative outcomes was performed. Rectal nodules were managed by disc excision and segmental resection in 20 patients and 1 patient, respectively. Sigmoid colon nodules were removed by short segmental resection and disc excision in 15 and 6 patients, respectively. The rectal nodule diameter was between 1 and 3 cm and over 3 cm in 33% and 67% of patients, respectively. Associated vaginal infiltration requiring vaginal excision was recorded in 76.2% of patients. The mean diameter of the rectal disc removed averaged 4.6 cm, and the mean height of the rectal suture was 5.8 cm. The length of the sigmoid colon specimen and the height of the anastomosis were 7.3 cm and 18.5 cm, respectively. The mean operative time was 290 minutes, and the mean postoperative follow-up averaged 30 months. Clavien-Dindo 3 complications occurred in 28% of patients, including 4 with rectal fistulae (19%). The pregnancy rate was 67% among patients with pregnancy intention., Conclusion: Our data suggest that combining disc excision and segmental resection to remove multiple deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the rectum and the sigmoid colon can preserve the healthy bowel located between 2 consecutive nodules. However, the rate of postoperative complications is high, particularly in patients with large low rectal nodules., (Copyright © 2017 American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the postoperative complications related to three surgical procedures used in colorectal endometriosis: rectal shaving, disc excision, and segmental resection., Design: Retrospective comparative study using data prospectively recorded in the North-West Inter Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis (CIRENDO) database., Setting: University tertiary referral center., Patient(s): A total of 364 consecutive patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectosigmoid, were stratified into three arms according to the technique used., Intervention(s): All patients had a laparoscopic surgical procedure to treat bowel endometriosis: rectal shaving (145 patients), disc excision (80 patients), or segmental colorectal resection (139 patients)., Main Outcome Measure(s): Postoperative complication rate was assessed using Clavien-Dindo classification., Result(s): Clavien 3b postoperative complications were recorded in 43 patients (11.8%), two thirds of whom were managed by segmental colorectal resection (P<.001). Fourteen cases of rectovaginal fistula (3.8%) were reported: three in the shaving arm (2.1%), three in the disc excision arm (3.7%), and eight in the segmental colorectal resection arm (5.8%) (P=.13). Twenty-four cases (6.6%) of pelvic abscess were recorded in patients free of fistula or leakage. One year after the surgery pregnancy rate (PRs) and delivery rate were comparable between patients with or without severe complications who intended to get pregnant. Three years postoperatively, the PR in infertile patients was 66.7%, with spontaneous conception in 50% of cases., Conclusion(s): Our data suggest that using a strategy prioritizing shaving, whenever it is possible, could be related to a reduction in severe complication rates. However, prudence is required before concluding that extensive disease should not be treated by segmental resection because of the risk of complications., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The management of patients presenting deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the rectum (DIER) and pregnancy intention is controversial. Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) are often proposed first, but this may lead to complications and further difficulties managing DIER. A 29-years-old woman was diagnosed with pre-occlusive DIER. However, she was offered in vitro fertilization (IVF) and underwent six unsuccessful cycles with serious complications: an ectopic pregnancy and a hemoperitoneum following arterial injury during oocyte retrieval, requiring two laparotomies in emergency. The patient's symptoms worsened over time and colorectal resection with diverting colostomy was performed. The patient's quality of life was then improved. In our opinion, prior ART in patients presenting DIER delays surgery and may have harmful complications. Therefore, primary surgery followed by ART may be a valuable option in some cases and should be discussed with the patients., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To assess the value of performing a protective stoma in patients operated for rectal endometriosis., Material and Methods: From June 2009 to December 2011, 47 patients were operated for rectal endometriosis by segmental or discoid resection in 4 different centers. Two groups were formed: one with protective stoma (group S), n=33 and one without protective stoma (group NS), n=14. Data were collected from the CIRENDO database., Measurements and Main Results: Postoperative complication rate of group NS was 57% against 48% in group S (P=0.75). There was an increasing trend of the rate of anastomotic leakage in group S as compared to group NS: 21% against 3% (P=0.073). All 3 patients of group NS with an anastomotic leakage were reoperated and the group S patient had medical treatment. In a center, digestive operative time was not necessarily performed in association with a gastrointestinal surgeon. All patients in group S had a restoration of continuity in about 3 months. Two of them had dilation of anastomotic stricture and 3 others showed a transient postoperative ileus during this recovery. Quality of life was assessed by the MOS SF-36 and significantly improved in both groups thanks to the intervention., Conclusion: Temporary digestive stoma in patients operated for rectal endometriosis has to be considered because in our study, it seems reducing complications such as anastomotic leakage. This must be confirmed with studies with larger numbers., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Study Question: Is there a difference in functional outcome between conservative versus radical rectal surgery in patients with large deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum 2 years postoperatively?, Summary Answer: No evidence was found that functional outcomes differed when conservative surgery was compared to radical rectal surgery for deeply invasive endometriosis involving the bowel., What Is Known Already: Adopting a conservative approach to the surgical management of deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum, by employing shaving or disc excision, appears to yield improved digestive functional outcomes. However, previous comparative studies were not randomized, introducing a possible bias regarding the presumed superiority of conservative techniques due to the inclusion of patients with more severe deep endometriosis who underwent colorectal resection., Study Design Size, Duration: From March 2011 to August 2013, we performed a 2-arm randomized trial, enroling 60 patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum up to 15 cm from the anus, measuring more than 20 mm in length, involving at least the muscular layer in depth and up to 50% of rectal circumference. No women were lost to follow-up., Participants/materials, Setting, Methods: Patients were enroled in three French university hospitals and had either conservative surgery, by shaving or disc excision, or radical rectal surgery, by segmental resection. Randomization was performed preoperatively using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes, and patients were informed of the results of randomization. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients experiencing one of the following symptoms: constipation (1 stool/>5 consecutive days), frequent bowel movements (≥3 stools/day), defecation pain, anal incontinence, dysuria or bladder atony requiring self-catheterization 24 months postoperatively. Secondary endpoints were the values of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Knowles-Eccersley-Scott-Symptom Questionnaire (KESS), the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), the Wexner scale, the Urinary Symptom Profile (USP) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF36)., Main Results and the Role of Chance: A total of 60 patients were enroled. Among the 27 patients in the conservative surgery arm, two were converted to segmental resection (7.4%). In each group, 13 presented with at least one functional problem at 24 months after surgery (48.1 versus 39.4%, OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.22-2.21). The intention-to-treat comparison of the overall scores on KESS, GIQLI, Wexner, USP and SF36 did not reveal significant differences between the two arms. Segmental resection was associated with a significant risk of bowel stenosis., Limitations Reasons for Caution: The inclusion of only large infiltrations of the rectum does not allow the extrapolation of conclusions to small nodules of <20 mm in length. The presumption of a 40% difference favourable to conservative surgery in terms of postoperative functional outcomes resulted in a lack of power to demonstrate a difference for the primary endpoint., Wider Implications of the Findings: Conservative surgery is feasible in patients managed for large deep rectal endometriosis. The trial does not show a statistically significant superiority of conservative surgery for mid-term functional digestive and urinary outcomes in this specific population of women with large involvement of the rectum. There is a higher risk of rectal stenosis after segmental resection, requiring additional endoscopic or surgical procedures., Study Funding/competing Interest(s): This work was supported by a grant from the clinical research programme for hospitals (PHRC) in France. The authors declare no competing interests related to this study., Trial Registration Number: This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT 01291576., Trial Registration Date: 31 January 2011., Date of First Patient’s Enrolment: 7 March 2011., (© The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.)

Deep endometriosis (DE) remains the most difficult endometriotic entity to treat. Medical treatment for DE can reduce symptoms but does not cure the disease, and surgical removal of the lesion is required when lesions are symptomatic, impairing bowel, urinary, sexual, and reproductive functions. Although several surgical techniques such as laparoscopic bowel resection, disc excision, and rectal shaving have been described, there is no consensus regarding the choice of technique or the timing of surgery. Our review of publications reporting results and complications of surgery for rectovaginal DE reveals a relatively higher complication rate after bowel resection compared with shaving and disc excision, especially for rectovaginal fistulas, anastomotic leakage, delayed hemorrhage, and long-term bladder catheterization. Data show that shaving is feasible even in advanced disease. The risk of immediate complications after shaving and disc excision is probably lower than after colorectal resection, allowing for better functional outcomes. The presumed higher risk of recurrence related to shaving has not been demonstrated. For these reasons, surgeons should consider rectal shaving as a first-line surgical treatment of rectovaginal DE, regardless of nodule size or association with other digestive localizations. When the result of rectal shaving is unsatisfactory (rare cases), disc excision may be performed either exclusively by laparoscopy or by using transanal staplers. Segmental resection may ultimately be reserved for advanced lesions responsible for major stenosis or for several cases of multiple nodules infiltrating the rectosigmoid junction or sigmoid colon., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: To evaluate postoperative complications, digestive function and fertility outcomes in patients managed by rectal shaving using plasma energy in deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum., Design: A single-center retrospective cohort study using data recorded prospectively., Design Classification: Canadian Task Force classification II-2., Settings: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Rouen University Hospital (France)., Patients: One hundred and ten patients treated between December 2012 and December 2016., Interventions: Laparoscopic rectal shaving using plasma energy., Measurements and Main Results: Clinical history, baseline symptoms, preoperative assessment, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes were recorded prospectively. Follow-up evaluations were performed at 1 year and 3 years. Mean age of patients was 37 ± 6.4 years. Most patients had rectal nodules infiltrating either the mid or upper rectum and measuring <3 cm long. No intraoperative complications were recorded. One patient with multiple previous surgical procedures presented with a postoperative rectovaginal fistula (0.9%), and 1 patient presented with a postoperative rectouterine fistula treated exclusively with antibiotics (0.9%). Two patients (1.8%) had bladder atony necessitating ≥3 weeks of daily self-catheterization. Four patients (3.6%) had Clavien-Dindo grade I complications, 12 (10.9%) had grade II complications, 1 (0.9%) had a grade IIIa complication, 5 (4.5%) had grade IIIb complications, and 1 (0.9%) had a grade 4a complication. The vast majority of patients (n = 103 patients; 93.6%) were free of serious complications. Significant improvements in constipation and gastrointestinal quality of life were recorded at 1 year and 3 years postoperatively. Thirty-two patients attempted pregnancy after surgery (29.1%), and 17 of them conceived (53.1%)., Conclusions: Rectal shaving using plasma energy allows for a low rate of postoperative complications with good digestive function and fertility outcomes and appears to be suitable in selected women with symptomatic rectal endometriosis., (Copyright © 2017 American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To assess the postoperative outcomes of patients with rectal endometriosis managed by disc excision using transanal staplers., Design: Prospective study using data recorded in the CIRENDO database (NCT02294825)., Setting: University tertiary referral center., Patient(s): A total of 111 consecutive patients managed between June 2009 and June 2016., Intervention(s): We performed rectal disc excision using two different transanal staplers: [1] the Contour Transtar stapler (the Rouen technique); and [2] the end to end anastomosis circular transanal stapler., Main Outcomes Measure(s): Pre- and postoperative digestive function was assessed using standardized gastrointestinal questionnaires: the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index and the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott Symptom Questionnaire., Result(s): The two staplers were used in 42 (37.8%) and 69 patients (62.2%), respectively. The largest diameter of specimens achieved was significantly higher using the Rouen technique (mean ± SD, 59 ± 11 mm vs. 36 ± 7 mm), which was used to remove nodules located lower in the rectum (5.5 ± 1.3 cm vs. 9.7 ± 2.5 cm) infiltrating more frequently the adjacent posterior vaginal wall (83.3% vs. 49.3%). Associated nodules involving sigmoid colon were managed by distinct procedures, either disc excision (2.7%) or segmental resection of sigmoid colon (9.9%). Postoperative values for the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index increased 1 and 3 years after the surgery, but improvement in constipation was not significant. The probability of pregnancy at 1 year after the arrest of medical treatment was 73.3% (95% confidence interval 54.9%-88.9%), with a majority of spontaneous conceptions., Conclusion(s): Disc excision using transanal staplers is a valuable alternative to colorectal resection in selected patients presenting with rectal endometriosis, allowing for good preservation of rectal function., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To perform a survey on the characteristics of the surgical management of patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum and the sigmoid colon (DIERS) in France in 2015., Method: Case-series study enrolling patients with DIERS involving muscularis, submucosa or mucosa, operated on from January 1st to December 31st 2015, in 56 healthcare facilities in France. Surgeons filled in questionnaires concerning the number of patients, deep endometriosis localizations, surgical route and techniques used on digestive tract, associated surgical procedures and major complications. Data were pooled in a single database., Results: A total of 1135 patients from 56 healthcare facilities were enrolled in the series (33 university hospitals, 4 general hospitals and 19 private hospitals). Deep endometriosis infiltrated only the rectum in 56.8% of cases, the rectum and the sigmoid colon in 36.3% and only the sigmoid colon in 6.9%. Associated localizations involved the cecum in 6.6% of cases, small bowel in 4.7%, bladder in 9%, and were responsible for stenosis of the ureters in 13.4% and for hydronephrosis in 6.8%. Surgery was performed using conventional laparoscopy in 82.2% of cases, robotic-assisted laparoscopy in 9.7% and open surgery in 8.1%. Rectal shaving was carried out in 48.1% of cases, disc excision in 7.3%, colorectal segmental resection in 40.4% and sigmoid colon segmental resection in 6.4% (2 different procedures could be associated in the same patient). Ureter resection was carried out in only 4% of cases, representing 29.6% of cases with stenosis of the ureters. Bladder resection was carried out in 6.9%. Vaginal resection and hysterectomy were performed in 33 and 14.7% of cases respectively, while temporary stoma was used in 19.1%. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 0.8% of cases, pelvic abscess in 3.4%, rectovaginal fistula in 2.7%, ureter fistula in 0.7%, while 8.6% of patients either required catheterization after recovery or had a post-voiding bladder volume superior to 100mL. According to the surgical procedure used, the risk of rectovaginal fistula was 1.3, 3.6 and 3.9% after shaving, disc excision and segmental resection respectively. Intensive care was required in 1.1% and blood transfusion in 2.2%. One patient died (0.1%) after rectal shaving., Conclusions: Our 2015 survey of a large number of patients managed for DIERS in France confirms that DIERS is far from being a rare disease. Even in the setting of complex procedures requiring multidisciplinary teams, a laparoscopic approach can achieve successful surgical treatment in 9 out of 10 patients with an acceptable risk of major postoperative complications., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)