Evaluation of pre- and post-operative symptoms in patients submitted to linear stapler nodulectomy due to anterior rectal wall endometriosis.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a more versatile rectosigmoid nodulectomy technique using a linear stapler.
Methods: Case series.
Setting: tertiary care (reference center for endometriosis surgery).
Patients: Sixty-one consecutive patients who were operated on between January 2006 and February 2013.
Intervention: anterior rectal wall nodulectomy technique using sequential bites of the linear stapler.
Measurements: Perioperative complications were recorded, and a condition-specific bowel dysfunction quality of life questionnaire (Rome III--Constipation) was applied pre-operatively and post-operatively during the first week of April 2013.
Design Classification: Canadian Task Force III RESULTS: A total of 61 patients were submitted to the intervention. After a mean follow-up period of 1.83 years (.25-7.1 ± 1.97), no post-operative fistula or leakage was observed. In addition, no cases of rectal stenosis or bowel obstruction were recorded, and two patients were excluded for not answering the post-operative questionnaire. According to the Rome III questionnaire, constipation symptoms improved significantly in 12 out of 17 questions. No patient reported worsening of symptoms in question.
Conclusions: Linear stapler resection is a safe alternative to segmentar resection for endometriotic nodules on the anterior rectal wall.