Laparoscopic management of ureteral endometriosis in case of moderate-severe hydroureteronephrosis

To evaluate prospectively the efficacy of laparoscopic ureterolysis versus ureteroureterostomy in women with ureteral endometriosis.

Prospective study.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ospedale Sacro Cuore of Negrar, Verona, Italy, a tertiary care endometriosis referral center.

Endometriotic patients with moderate-severe ureter dilatation.

All women underwent laparoscopic endometriosis excision and concomitant laparoscopic ureterolysis, ureteroureterostomy, nephrectomy, or laparotomic ureterocystoneostomy.

Clinical outcomes were evaluated.

Fifty-six patients with preoperative or intraoperative evidence of moderate-severe ureter dilatation were enrolled. Dysmenorrhea (91%) and dyspareunia (68%) were the symptoms more frequently reported; only two patients had typical obstructive uropathy pain. In 35 cases, laparoscopic ureterolysis, in 17 laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy, in 2 laparotomic ureterocystoneostomy, and in 2 laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed. 11 out of 35 (31.4%) major complications occurred in the ureterolysis group, and 2 out of 17 (11.7%) in the ureteroureterostomy group. Median follow-up time was 21 months. Ureteral endometriosis recurrence was surgically detected in three patients who underwent conservative ureteral surgery.

Preoperative planning should be rigorous, and complete surgical excision of ureteral endometriosis should be ensured by a team of experts familiar with endometriosis, its multiple manifestations, and its management.