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Management of rectosigmoid obstruction due to severe bowel endometriosis

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Abstract

Bowel obstruction is a rare complication of intestinal endometriosis. The aim of this work was to evaluate outcomes after colorectal resection for bowel obstruction due to endometriosis. Of 720 patients who underwent colorectal resection for bowel endometriosis, 12 (1.7 %) presented with bowel obstruction. Preoperative work-up, management, perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed. All lesions were localized in the rectosigmoid tract. All patients underwent colorectal resection, which was carried out laparoscopically in 4 (33 %). Rate of low or ultra-low colorectal anastomoses was 83 %. Four patients (33 %) required blood transfusions. Two patients developed rectovaginal fistulas. After a median follow-up of 38 months, there were no cases of disease recurrence and dyschezia improved in 75 % of patients. Bowel endometriosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young women with bowel obstruction. Despite challenging operations, colorectal resections are associated with good outcomes.

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All authors report no funding nor relevant financial relationship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Ospedale Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria, Via Sempreboni, 5, 37024, Negrar, VR, Italy

    Giacomo Ruffo, Stefano Crippa, Alberto Sartori, Stefano Partelli & Massimo Falconi

  2. Department of Gynaecology, Ospedale Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria, Negrar, Italy

    Luca Minelli

  3. Department of Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy

    Stefano Crippa, Stefano Partelli & Massimo Falconi

Authors
  1. Giacomo Ruffo
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  2. Stefano Crippa
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  3. Alberto Sartori
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  4. Stefano Partelli
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  5. Luca Minelli
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  6. Massimo Falconi
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Correspondence to Giacomo Ruffo.

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Ruffo, G., Crippa, S., Sartori, A. et al. Management of rectosigmoid obstruction due to severe bowel endometriosis. Updates Surg 66, 59–64 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-013-0240-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-013-0240-1

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