Laparoscopic surgery for pelvic pain associated with endometriosis (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 02 August 2001. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial glands or stroma in sites other than the uterine cavity. It is variable in both its surgical appearance and clinical manifestation often with poor correlation between the two. Surgical treatment of endometriosis aims to remove visible areas of endometriosis and restore anatomy by division of adhesions.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. The review aims to compare the effectiveness of any laparoscopic procedure versus any other treatment modality, including expectant management.

Search strategy: The search strategy of the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Review Group was used to identify all publications that described or might have described randomised trials of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of symptomatic endometriosis. For a full description of the Review Group strategy see the Review Group details.

Selection criteria: Trials were selected if they were randomised and compared the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of pelvic pain associated with endometriosis, with other treatment modalities or placebo.

Data collection and analysis: One study had data appropriate for inclusion within the review. This study compared laparoscopic laser surgery with diagnostic laparoscopy. Pain relief was the primary outcome measure. The data was extracted independently by two reviewers.

Main results: In comparison to expectant treatment there is a significant degree of pain relief at six months after surgery with laser laparoscopic surgery for minimal, mild and moderate endometriosis. Odds Ratio (OR) 4.97, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.85,13.39

Reviewers' conclusions: The combined surgical approach of laparoscopic laser ablation, adhesiolysis and uterine nerve ablation is likely to be a beneficial treatment for pelvic pain associated with minimal, mild and moderate endometriosis. As only one trial is included in the analysis, this conclusion should be interpreted with caution.

Citation: Jacobson TZ, Barlow DH, Garry R, Koninckx P. Laparoscopic surgery for pelvic pain associated with endometriosis (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

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This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

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File Reference: AB001300.htm