Role of laparoscopy in identifying the clinical significance and cause of adhesions and chronic pelvic pain: a retrospective review at the Kiel School of Gynecological Endoscopy

Objectives: We sought to define the role of laparoscopy in identifying the clinical significance, cause, and association between adhesions and chronic pelvic pain. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted from October 2004 to July 2005, at the Kiel School of Gynecological Endoscopy, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany. Included in the study was the analysis of 462 laparoscopic procedures; 275 (59.5%) of the patients undergoing these procedures had pelvic or abdominal adhesions. Of these, 84 (30.5%) patients were admitted with the main complaint of chronic pelvic pain. Further evaluation and assessment of this group was carried out. Results: Among those patients with adhesions, the second most frequent reason for admission was chronic pelvic pain (30.5%) (P