Study objective: To evaluate the relationship between anatomic locations and diameter of endometriotic lesions with severity of perimenstrual dyschezia (pain with defecation) as a possible location-indicating pain symptom for posterior deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).
Design: Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).
Setting: Tertiary care university hospital.
Patients: We reviewed hospital records of patients who underwent laparoscopic treatment for pelvic endometriosis in our center between 2001 and 2006. In all, 360 patients with posterior DIE (endometrial glands and stroma infiltrated excised tissues of the specified organs) were included for whom preoperative scoring of perimenstrual dyschezia was performed using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). Data about anatomic location and diameter of excised nodules were retrieved from operative and pathological records.
Interventions: Laparoscopic excision of suspected endometriotic lesions.
Measurements and main results: Mean VAS score of dyschezia for patients with overall posterior DIE was 3.9 +/- 3.8, whereas in unaffected patients it was 1.9 +/- 3.3 (Mann-Whitney test p <.0005). Rectovaginal involvement (posterior vaginal wall, rectovaginal septum, and anterior rectal wall) was found in 240 of 360 women. Mean VAS score for dyschezia was 4.1 +/- 4 and 2.1 +/- 3.3 in affected and nonaffected patients, respectively (p <.0005). Mean lesion diameter in affected patients was significantly correlated with mean VAS score (Spearman rho = 0.21). Patients with anterior rectal wall endometriosis (71/240) had a mean VAS score of 4.2 +/- 4 and in nonaffected patients it was 2.7 +/- 3.6 (p <.05). Mean lesion diameter in affected patients was not significantly correlated with mean VAS score of dyschezia (Spearman rho = 0.16).
Conclusion: Severity of dyschezia was significantly correlated with posterior DIE. A positive correlation occurred between severity of dyschezia and lesion diameter with rectovaginal endometriosis but not with anterior rectal wall involvement.