Retal diseases Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia

PURPOSE: to evaluate the results of 14 cases of laparoscopic surgical treatment of patients with deep endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum in the Sector of Gynecological Endoscopy of the 'Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual "Francisco Morato de Oliveira"'. METHODS: a retrospective analysis was accomplished with data from the records, associated with postoperative evaluation of the patients operated between February 2002 and February 2004. The patients' age varied from 33 to 44 years, with a mean of 38.4. The parity ranged from 0 to 3, with a mean of 1.1. The main preoperative symptoms were: dysmenorrhea in 14 (100%), deep dyspareunia in 12 (85.7%), non-ciclic pelvic pain in 10 (71.4%), pain at defecation in two (14.3%), rectal bleeding in two (14.3%), and infertility in two (14.3%). The plasma level of CA-125 ranged from 3.6 to 100.3 U/mL, with a mean of 52.9 U/mL. RESULTS: the histological examination of the lesions of the rectovaginal septum was compatible with endometriosis in nine (64.3%) patients. Concerning painful symptoms, there was total regression in seven (50%) patients, partial regression (more than 80% relief) in two (14.3%), no improvement in four (28.6%), and worsening in one (7.1%). The incidence of complications was 14.3%: a ureter lesion associated with lesion of the sigmoid and a lesion of the rectum diagnosed on the 8th postoperative day. Conclusion: it can be concluded that endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum can be treated through laparoscopic surgery with low morbidity, leading to a complete or almost complete relief of the symptoms in most of the patients.