Management of bladder endometriosis with combined transurethral and laparoscopic approach. Follow-up of pain control, quality of life, and sexual function at 12 months after surgery

Abstract

To describe the pre-surgical and post-surgical outcomes at one year in terms of recurrence of lower urinary tract symptoms, quality of life, and sexual function of a transurethral and laparoscopic combined approach in the treatment of bladder endometriosis. The authors performed a prospective observational study of 16 women affected by symptomatic bladder endometriosis at the University Hospitals of Cagliari, Padua, and Foggia. In all patients bladder nodule was excised with a transurethral and laparoscopic combined approach technique. Intensity of lower urinary tract symptoms (VAS score) were assessed pre- and post-operatively at one, six, and 12 months after surgery; quality of life (SF-36) and sexual functions (FSFI) were collected preoperatively and one year postoperatively. Operative time was 120.18 ± 15.77 minutes and mean blood loss was 65.12 ± 44.74. No intraoperative and postoperative complications and conversion laparotomy occurred. Intensity of lower urinary tract symptoms evaluated with VA S score were significantly lower after one, six, and 12 months postsurgery vs. presurgery (p < 0.001). The authors observed a significantly improvement in the quality of life and sexual functions in all patients at one year after surgery. This surgical approach is safe and simple in the treatment of bladder en-dometriosis, with low risks and optimal resolution of symptoms, and improvement of quality of life and sexual function.