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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
Surgical Techniques to Optimize Ovarian Reserve during Laparoscopic Cystectomy for Ovarian Endometrioma
Published on: January 22, 2022
Abdominal wall endometriosis: a surgeon's perspective and review of 445 cases
John D Horton1, Kent J Dezee, Eric P Ahnfeldt
1Department of Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, 5005 N. Piedras St., El Paso, TX 79920-5001, USA. John.horton2@amedd.army.mil
Background:
Abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) is defined as endometrial tissue superficial to the peritoneum. AWE often is misdiagnosed and referred to surgeons for treatment. We performed a systematic review of published cohorts to quantify demographics, symptoms, and outcomes of patients having AWE.
Methods:
An English language PubMed search from January 1951 to August of 2006 was conducted using several search terms for endometrioma.
Conclusions:
Twenty-nine articles describing 455 patients were identified and met inclusion criteria. The pooled mean age was 31.4 years. Ninety-six percent presented with a mass, 87% presented with pain, and 57% presented with cyclic symptoms. AWE was associated with a caesarian scar or hysterectomy in 57% and 11% of cases, respectively. The interval from index surgery to presentation was 3.6 years. Recurrence after resection was 4.3%. The most common presentation of AWE is the development of a painful mass after uterine surgery. Surgical treatment appears to result in a cure more than 95% of the time.
