Endometriosis after tubal ligation

Twenty-three (27.3%) of 84 patients discharged with the diagnosis of endometriosis had undergone tubal ligation 1-15 years (mean, 5) before this diagnosis was made. Twenty (87%) of the 23 underwent laparotomy because of symptoms consistent with endometriosis. Forty-four percent had stage I disease; 52%, stage II; and 4%, stage III. Endometriosis was the only pathologic finding in 19 women (82.6%). This study demonstrated that endometriosis is not a chance finding in women who have undergone tubal sterilization.