Optimization of peritoneal fluid and leukocyte collection in patients with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a standardized protocol for peritoneal free fluid and leukocyte sample collection in women with endometriosis suitable for biomedical research on the basis of the surgical procedure, the clinical and technical conditions, and the quality of the samples obtained. DESIGN: Video showing the step-by-step collection procedure and the suitability of samples obtained for biomedical research. SUBJECTS: This study included 103 women with confirmed endometriosis by pathology analysis, who signed informed consent and were recruited from the Hospital "Virgen de la Arrixaca", Murcia, Spain. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of University of Murcia (CEI 3156/2020). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We analyzed the presence of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity and its relationship with hormonal treatment intake. In addition, the presence of blood contamination, the number of viable leukocytes and macrophages in free peritoneal fluid and lavages as well as their relationship with the lavage volume used, the body mass index, and the age of patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The presence of free peritoneal fluid, in which cells and molecules could be quantified, was scarce in the patients (21%), and it was not significantly related to hormonal treatment intake. The cell viability was higher than 98% in all collected samples; although 54% showed good quality and enough cellularity to be used in biomedical research, 40% were contaminated with blood and 6% had low cellularity. The number of leukocytes and macrophages recovered from the peritoneal lavages correlated positively with the lavage volume used and negatively with the body mass index and was independent of the age of the patients. CONCLUSION: We describe a standardized step-by-step procedure for peritoneal fluid and leukocyte collection in women with endometriosis, suitable for biomedical research, taking into account that not all women present free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. We propose to increase the lavage volume recommended by the World Endometriosis Research Foundation from 10 mL to at least 40 mL of sterile saline solution and its mobilization for at least 30 seconds within the peritoneal cavity, especially in patients with higher body mass index, to improve the efficiency of the procedure.

Endometriosis sobre ligamento redondo extrapélvico / Endometriosis affecting the extrapelvic round ligament

La afectación del ligamento redondo por endometriosis es infrecuente, oscilando según la bibliografía entre un 0,3 a un 14 % de las pacientes afectadas por endometriosis. Se localiza mas frecuentemente en el lado derecho y en su porción extrapélvica. Produce efecto masa y dolor variable con el ciclo. Generalmente hay afectación del compartimento posterior pélvico. La sospecha diagnóstica se basa en la anamnesis y exploración física, donde se objetiva una masa en región inguinal dolorosa. El diagnóstico por imagen a través de ecografía y resonancia magnética presenta una lesión ocupante de espacio con las mismas características que las lesiones endometrió-sicas pélvicas. Su manejo en la mayoría de las veces implica cirugía para su exéresis. Presentamos un caso de endometriosis sobre el ligamento redondo extrapélvico en el contexto de una endometriosis compleja en una paciente de 23 años con uropatía obstructiva

Endometriosis of the round ligament is a rare entity, it accounts for 0.3 to 14 % of patients affected by endome-triosis. The right side at extrapelvic slice is the most usual affected area. It cause swelling and changing mens-trual pain. Inguinal endometriosis is usually associated with posterior compartment of pelvis affectation. The diagnostic approach is base on accurate anamnesis and physical examination with a painful groin swelling. An space occupying lesion with the same properties as endometriosis pelvics injuries is show in Ultrasonography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. En-bloc resection surgery is the treatment of choice almost always. We report on a case of endometriosis of extrapelvic round ligament in a complex endometriosis 23 years-old patient, with obstructive uropathy context