Bladder and Urinary Deep Pelvic Endometriosis: A Step-by-Step Standard Approach

To demonstrate how to treat bladder and ureteral deep pelvic endometriosis using a laparoscopic approach with partial cystectomy and resection and end-to-end anastomosis of the ureter.

Step-by-step explanation of the surgery using a video approved by the local institutional review board.

University Hospital of Strasbourg, France.

A 27-year-old nulliparous woman with severe endometriosis stage IV (revised American Fertility Society classification score >40) of the bladder and left ureter. On pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, we found dilatation of the left ureter and left hydronephrosis induced by a 17-mm endometriosis nodule. A JJ probe was placed on the left ureter before the surgery because of dilatation of the ureter and decreased renal function.

During the exploration, we found an abdominal cavity free of adhesion. There was an endometriosis implant in the bladder in front of the uterus and a large nodule of the left uterosacral ligament that was compressing the ureter. In the first step, we made a section of the round ligament to perform anterior ureterolysis and progressive dissection of the nodule surrounding the ureter. Once the nodule was resected, tight stenosis was observed approximately 1 cm from the bladder. The vesicouterine and vesicovaginal spaces were then dissected to pass under the nodule to the vagina. We opened the dome of the bladder using the thunderbeat (Olympus) and dissected the bladder to remove the transfixing nodule while staying away from the ureters. The closure of the bladder was performed by 2 lateral sutures and a running suture using a braided suture (V-Loc) 2-0, with good tightness as checked by a blue test. Ureteral resection was performed around the JJ probe in place to remove the stenotic zone; thereafter, we performed an end-to-end anastomosis of the ureter using 4 sutures of monofilament (Monocryl) 4-0 with a good anatomic result. Finally, an omentoplasty was fixed around the ureter using a 2-0 monofilament suture (Monocryl).

The postoperative course was uneventful. A Foley catheter was left in place for 10 days, and the JJ probe was removed 6 weeks later. The operative time was 140 minutes. The step-by-step explanation technique was simple with minimal operative difficulty and a low rate of morbidity.

This video shows how deep urinary endometriosis can be treated laparoscopically. Mastering suturing is essential to avoid complications.