[Laparoscopic findings in women with chronic pelvic pain]

Chronic pelvic pain afflicts 5-10% of women. The diagnosis of its cause is predominantly assessed by means of laparoscopy which in 60-70% reveals various organic causes of pain. The retrospective study analyses the results of 43 laparoscopic examinations indicated due to chronic pelvic pain. The average age of patients was 29.97 years. Organic findings on internal genitals were found in 36 cases (83.7%). Endometriosis was diagnosed in 11 cases (25.6%). According to the criteria of American Fertility Society, 4 patients (36.4%) suffered from stage I, 6 patients (54.5%) suffered from stage II, and only one case (9.1%) was caused by stage III. Chronic inflammatory process was diagnosed in 12 cases (18.6%), adhesions without any other pathologic findings in 8 cases (18.6%), and ovarial cysts in 3 cases (7.0%). Varicose pelvic veins and uterine myoma occurred in one case (2.3%), respectively. In 7 cases, no pathological change was revealed. Laparoscopy in coincidence with chronic pelvic pain is a significant examination which helps to reveal the organic origin of disturbance. An early decision of applying this invasive examination contributes to fast assessment of the diagnose and commencement of treatment. (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 32.)