Bowel resection for severe endometriosis: an Australian series of 177 cases

Colorectal resection for severe endometriosis has been increasingly described in the literature over the last 20 years.

To describe the experiences of three gynaecological surgeons who perform radical surgery for colorectal endometriosis.

The records of three surgeons were reviewed. Relevant information was extracted and complied into a database.

One hundred and seventy-seven women were identified as having undergone surgery between February 1997 and October 2007. The primary reason for presentation was pain in the majority of women (79%). Eighty-one segmental resections were performed, 71 disc excisions, ten appendicectomies and multiple procedures in ten women. The majority of procedures (81.4%) were performed laparoscopically. Histology confirmed the presence of disease in 98.3% of cases. A further 124 procedures to remove other sites of endometriosis were conducted, along with an additional 44 procedures not primarily for endometriosis. A total of 16 unintended events occurred.

Our study adds to the growing body of literature describing colorectal resection for severe endometriosis. Overall, the surgery appeared to be well tolerated, demonstrating the role for this surgery.