[Current treatment of endometriosis with laparoscopic surgery]

Surgical treatment of endometriosis aims to remove all visible areas of pelvic endometriosis and restore anatomy by division of adhesions, as well as relieve painful symptoms. In this paper, we summarize the advantages, disadvantages, and efficacy of different laparoscopic surgical procedures in the treatment of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain and infertility. Modern endometrial surgery primarily involves laparoscopy, while indication of previously widespread laparotomy has been restricted to special cases. Surgery for the treatment of peritoneal endometriosis includes several options: electrocoagulation, laser ablation, or excision of the lesions, all of which have similar efficacy in the therapy of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain and infertility. There are two effective techniques for treating ovarian endometrioma: excision (stripping) technique or ablation of the cyst wall. It has been conclusively proven that stripping provides a more favorable outcome than drainage and ablation with regard to alleviating pain symptoms and infertility. The treatment of deeply infiltrating endometriosis involves some of the most challenging dissections in endometrial surgery. Such deeply infiltrating lesions can be most securely removed with laser techniques. For example, rectovaginal septum endometriosis can be completely removed with laser therapy. In case of bowel endometriosis, the affected part of the bowel can be removed by segmental resection, disc resection, or superficial partial-thickness excision. In most cases segmental colorectal resection is employed, because it is the most effective treatment currently available. In case of slight ureteral endometriosis, laparoscopic ureterolysis can be an effective treatment option; however, with obstructive uropathy segmental resection and anastomosis are indicated. Laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation and praesacral neurectomy are ancillary procedures meant to further decrease endometriosis-associated pelvic pain symptoms. However, the efficacy of these techniques is not yet proven and currently they appear to offer no added benefits beyond those achievable with conservative surgery alone. The ever improving surgical techniques steadily increase the efficacy of the treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility and pelvic pain, as well as delay recurrence of the disease.