Safety and long-term impacts on quality of life of segmental bowel resection for bowel endometriosis: a single-centred 5-year follow-up

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of segmental bowel resection for bowel endometriosis and the impact of post-operative complications on clinical outcomes.Methods: 62 symptomatic patients with bowel endometriosis undergoing segmental bowel resection from Jun. 2010 to Jan. 2014 were recruited. A visual analogue scale (VAS) and SF-36 questionnaire were administered before and at least 5 years after surgery. Post-operative complications and pregnancy were also recorded. Median follow-up after operation was 76 months (62-105 months).Results: 62 patients underwent laparoscopic segmental bowel resection, one of which converted to laparotomy. All patients complained of obvious pain symptoms, including dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, bowel movement pain, chronic pelvic pain and tenesmus. Dysmenorrhea was the most frequent. The relief of all pain symptoms after surgery was statistically significant (P<0.001). The scores for 8 domains of SF-36 questionnaire were significant improved after operation (P<0.001), and the post-operative scores were improved to the level of Chinese female population. Post-operative complication included 18 cases of urinary retention, 4 rectovaginal fistulas, 2 cases of vaginal dehiscence, and 1 case each of thrombogenesis, diffuse peritonitis, peripheral nerve injury, bacteraemia, incomplete intestinal obstruction and mucus bloody stool. All of these patients recovered well. There was no significant difference in post-operative SF-36 questionnaire scores between the patients with and without complications.Conclusion: Segmental bowel resection can significantly relieve pain and improve long-term quality of life for patients with bowel endometriosis. Despite the relatively high complication rate, the complications had little impact on the improvement of quality of life.