[Pelvic pain and external endometriosis. Physiopathology and treatment]

New data on the pathophysiology of pain associated with endometriosis are available. The predominant role of deep endometriosis has been stressed. In multivariate analysis, superficial endometriosis and even adhesions and ovarian cysts do not appear to be related with pain. Deep endometriosis is usually located posterior to the vagina and cervix, involving the pouch of Douglas, the rectovaginal septum and the uterosacral ligaments. In such cases, pelvic examination shows a painful induration or a nodule in this area. The anterior cul-de-sac and the lateral pelvic wall may also be involved. Two histological and clinical aspects may be observed: deep endometriosis arising under the peritoneal surface, or adenomyosis arising from the uterine cervix. Only complete surgical excision may be curative, but recurrences may occur after surgery. Hormonal therapy is only suspensive. However, surgical therapy involves a significant risk of complication. Surgery for deep endometriosis may be one of the most difficult gynecologic operations. It should be performed only by experienced surgeons, with skills in oncological dissections of the pelvis. The guidelines for therapy are thus clear. Superficial endometriosis does not cause pain and should not be treated by itself; symptomatic relief of pain may be obtained by therapeutic amenorrhea or by the placebo effect of surgery. Endometriomas are managed in the same way as all organic ovarian cysts. Adhesions are lysed if infertility is associated with pain, or to gain access to the retroperitoneal area. Etiologic therapy is acceptable only in case of deep endometriosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)