Laparoscopic and psychologic evaluation of women with chronic pelvic pain

Objective: Pelvic pain can account for up to 40 percent of laparoscopies performed by gynecologists. This report compares the psychological profiles and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery at long-term follow-up in a series of laparoscopy-positive and laparoscopy-negative patients with chronic pelvic pain. Method: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain combined with postoperative written questionnaires and self-rating scales. These questionnaires were used to assess longterm post laparoscopy follow-up of the physical and psychological status of women with positive findings at laparoscopy compared to those women with negative findings. Results: There were no statistically significant demographic differences between respondents and nonrespondents. In the respondents, no statistically significant differences were noted even with long-term follow-up when comparing responses of the laparoscopy-positive and laparoscopy-negative groups on the above questionnaires. Conclusion: Though reporting modest improvement in pelvic pain since laparoscopy, both groups reported a high incidence of anxiety, depression, physical worries, and marital/sexual problems.