Endometriosis de la pared abdominal

Abstract

Background: The presence of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) used to be confused with other surgical pathologies that may appear in these zones. Objective: To evaluate the AWE clinical characteristics. Method: Retrospective study of all the patients hospitalized with the histopathologycal diagnosis of AWE, between January 1997 and December 2005. Results: There was found AWE only in 14 patients. Their mean age was 33.2 years old. The symptoms were: cyclic pain (71.4%), abdominal wall mass (100%), dyspareunia (21.4%) and dysmenorrhea (42.8%). All patients had at least one gynecologic (2 patients with laparoscopic procedures) or obstetric surgery (85.7% had previous cesarean section). Only one patient had previously been diagnosed with pelvic endometriosis. Their symptoms started after an average of 3.5 years after surgery. The AWE had a mean size of 3.2 cm. The preoperative diagnosis was correct in 64.3%. The incorrect preoperative diagnoses were 3 granuloma, 1 inguinal hernia and 1 lipoma. All patients required surgery. 64.3% of the patients it was necessary a polytetrafluoethylene mesh. Four patients (28.5%) had AWE recurrences. 60% of the wrong initial diagnosis recurred versus 11.1% of the correct ones. Conclusion: AWE may be present in gynecologic or obstetric scars. Their common symptoms are masses with cyclic pain. Ultrasonography is enough to approach the differential diagnosis. The correct preoperative diagnosis is important to plan surgery and reduce recurrences. The surgical wide excision is the preferable treatment. Establishing clear endometriosis limits reduce the recurrences.