Rectal Shaving Using Plasma Energy in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis of the Rectum: Four Years of Experience.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postoperative complications, digestive function and fertility outcomes in patients managed by rectal shaving using plasma energy in deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum. DESIGN: A single-center retrospective cohort study using data recorded prospectively. DESIGN CLASSIFICATION: Canadian Task Force classification II-2. SETTINGS: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Rouen University Hospital (France). PATIENTS: One hundred and ten patients treated between December 2012 and December 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic rectal shaving using plasma energy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Clinical history, baseline symptoms, preoperative assessment, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes were recorded prospectively. Follow-up evaluations were performed at 1 year and 3 years. Mean age of patients was 37 ± 6.4 years. Most patients had rectal nodules infiltrating either the mid or upper rectum and measuring <3 cm long. No intraoperative complications were recorded. One patient with multiple previous surgical procedures presented with a postoperative rectovaginal fistula (0.9%), and 1 patient presented with a postoperative rectouterine fistula treated exclusively with antibiotics (0.9%). Two patients (1.8%) had bladder atony necessitating ≥3 weeks of daily self-catheterization. Four patients (3.6%) had Clavien-Dindo grade I complications, 12 (10.9%) had grade II complications, 1 (0.9%) had a grade IIIa complication, 5 (4.5%) had grade IIIb complications, and 1 (0.9%) had a grade 4a complication. The vast majority of patients (n = 103 patients; 93.6%) were free of serious complications. Significant improvements in constipation and gastrointestinal quality of life were recorded at 1 year and 3 years postoperatively. Thirty-two patients attempted pregnancy after surgery (29.1%), and 17 of them conceived (53.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Rectal shaving using plasma energy allows for a low rate of postoperative complications with good digestive function and fertility outcomes and appears to be suitable in selected women with symptomatic rectal endometriosis.

Rectal shaving for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum: a 5-year continuous retrospective series.

OBJECTIVE: To report postoperative outcomes after rectal shaving for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum. DESIGN: Retrospective study using data prospectively recorded in the CIRENDO database. SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): One hundred and twenty-two consecutive patients whose follow-up observation ranged from 1 to 6 years. INTERVENTION(S): Rectal shaving performed using ultrasound scalpel or scissors and plasma energy in 68 and 54 women, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Postoperative digestive function assessed using standardized gastrointestinal questionnaires: the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott-Symptom Questionnaire (KESS). RESULT(S): Nodules were between 1 and 3 cm, <1 cm, and >3 cm in diameter, in 73.7%, 11.5%, and 14.8% of cases, respectively. They were located on the middle (49.2%) and upper rectum (50.8%). Clavien-Dindo 3a, 3b, 4a, and 4b complications occurred in 0.8%, 5.7%, 1.6%, and 0.8% of cases, respectively. Excepting two rectal fistulas (1.6%), the majority of complications were not related to rectal shaving itself. Gastrointestinal scores revealed statistically significant improvement in digestive function and pelvic pain at 1 and 3 years after rectal shaving, but not constipation. Rectal recurrences occurred in 4% of patients, 2.4% of whom had segmental resection, 0.8% shaving, and 0.8% disc excision. Three years postoperatively, the pregnancy rate was 65.4% among patients with pregnancy intention, 59% of whom conceived spontaneously. CONCLUSION(S): Our data suggest that rectal shaving is a valuable treatment for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum, providing a low rate of postoperative complications, good improvement in digestive function, and satisfactory fertility outcomes.