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Laparoscopic Management of Patients with Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain
Author(s) -
MILINGOS SPYROS,
PROTOPAPAS ATHANASIOS,
DRAKAKIS PETER,
LIAPI ANTHOULA,
LOUTRADIS DIMITRIOS,
KALLIPOLITIS GEORGE,
MILINGOS DIMITRIOS,
MICHALAS STYLIANOS
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1290.030
Subject(s) - endometriosis , medicine , pelvic pain , laparoscopy , disease , general surgery , surgery , gynecology
A bstract : Endometriosis has been traditionally included among the most important causes of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women of reproductive age. The main clinical manifestations of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic nonmenstrual pain. Despite the high prevalence of endometriosis in women suffering from CPP, controversy still exists regarding the true association between the stage and extent of this peculiar disease and the severity of pain. Over the last decade, advances in endoscopic technology have enabled gynecologic surgeons to recognize many atypical appearances of the endometriotic implants not known to exist before, thus allowing their complete excision or destruction. Laparoscopic surgery may offer considerable relief in patients with endometriosis and CPP. Although cases with advanced endometriosis seem to benefit the most, we also support surgical treatment in patients with early endometriosis diagnosed using laparoscopy, as many will experience improvement in their symptoms.