[Clinical efficacies of laparoscopic-assisted rectal resection and transvaginal removal for middle or low rectal endometriosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacies and safety of laparoscopic-assisted rectal resection and transvaginal removal for middle or low rectal endometriosis.

METHODS: A total of 48 patients with middle or low rectal endometriosis undergoing laparoscopic-assisted transvaginal resection from May 2010 to December 2012 at First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University were enrolled. Postoperative short and long-term complications and clinical efficacies were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: All cases underwent laparoscopic-assisted transvaginal rectal resection successfully.Neither conversion into laparotomy nor preventive colostomy was needed. Their average age was 34.4 (22-43) years. The locations were above peritoneal reflection (n = 19) and below (n = 29). The incidence of anastomotic leakage was 2.1% (n = 1). The mean operative duration was 78 (62-180) min and the length of hospital stay 7.5 days. Compared with preoperative period, their postoperative digestive and gynecological symptoms improved significantly (intestinal bleeding 0 vs 18 (37.5%), dysmenorrhea 1 (2.1%) vs 48(100.0%) all P < 0.05). However, there was no change of constipation symptoms (6(12.5%) vs 5(10.4%), P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic-assisted transvaginal resection for middle or low rectal endometriosis was efficacious, safe and worth popularizing.