Endometriosis of the Bladder: Clinical and Surgical Outcomes after Laparoscopic Surgery

Urinary tract endometriosis is rare. The bladder is the most common site affected. The nonspecific symptoms can make a diagnosis difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and surgical outcomes in women who underwent surgical treatment for bladder endometriosis (BE).

Ten patients who underwent surgical treatment for BE from January 2012 to November 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Pre- and postoperative data, intraoperative findings, type of surgical procedure, and intra- and postoperative complications were analyzed.

Two women were treated by laparoscopic shaving of the bladder lesion and 8 underwent laparoscopic partial cystectomy. Simultaneous resection of coexisting pelvic nodules was performed. No conversions to laparotomy were observed. There was only one intraoperative complication. No major or minor postoperative complications were observed and none of the patients required repeated interventions. Improvements in clinical symptoms were reported and there was no increase in long-term urinary frequency after surgery. There was 1 case of urinary symptom recurrence.

Laparoscopic partial cystectomy and shaving of the bladder lesion seem to improve urinary symptoms, with a low rate of intra- and postoperative complications and a low rate of recurrence, without affecting long-term bladder capacity. This surgical approach requires an experienced gynecologist and urologist team.