Surgery for deep infiltrating rectal endometriosis-Selecting the right approach

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Surgical Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a severe form of endometriosis.
• Bowel involvement, particularly in the colon and rectum, can present as a malignancy.
• Rectal DIE requires specialized surgical management.

Observation:

• This study reports on the surgical management of rectal endometriosis in two patients.
• One patient underwent a conservative surgical approach, while the other received a more radical approach.
• Short-term and long-term outcomes for both approaches were observed.

Findings:

• Surgery is the primary treatment for rectal DIE.
• Adjuvant hormonal therapy is often used in conjunction with surgery.
• The choice of surgical strategy depends on lesion size, disease extent, patient fitness, and available resources.

Implications:

• Tailored surgical approaches are crucial for effective rectal DIE management.
• Understanding patient and disease factors optimizes surgical outcomes.
• Further research into long-term outcomes of different surgical techniques is warranted.