[Segmental resection for colorectal endometriosis: are there alternatives?]

Colorectal surgery for endometriosis is increasingly performed, but its assessment is still incomplete, especially regarding its impact on quality of life, the recurrence rate and subsequent fertility. Segmental resection is the technique most often performed and best evaluated with a proven efficacy but associated with significant morbidity. Alternatives to segmental resection consisting of shaving rectal resection, discoid resection or superficial resection have recently been proposed to provide equivalent efficacy while decreasing morbidity. To date, data are insufficient to clarify the respective indications of segmental resection and alternatives. Only randomized trials will resolve the existing controversy.