Randomized Trial of Laparoscopically Assisted Versus Open Colorectal Resection for Endometriosis Morbidity, Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Fertility

Objective: We report the first randomized trial of laparoscopically assisted versus open colorectal resection for endometriosis focusing on perioperative complications, improvement in symptoms, quality of life, and fertility. Summary of Background Data: Bowel endometriosis is one of the most severe forms of endometriosis. Although laparoscopically assisted surgery is a validated technique for colorectal cancer, there are serious concerns about its appropriateness for endometriosis in young women wishing to conceive because it is almost invariably a traumatic procedure. Methods: We conducted a noninferiority trial and randomly assigned 52 patients with colorectal endometriosis to undergo laparoscopically assisted or open colorectal resection. The median follow-up was 19 months. The primary end point was improvement in dyschesia. Results: Overall, a significant improvement in digestive symptoms (dyschesia P < 0.0001, diarrhea P < 0.01, and bowel pain and cramping P < 0.0001), gynecologic symptoms (dysmenorrhea P < 0.0001 and dyspareunia P < 0.0001), and general symptoms (back pain P = 0.001 and asthenia P = 0.0001) was observed. No difference in the symptom delta values and quality of life was noted between the groups. Median blood loss was lower in the laparoscopic group (P < 0.05). Total number of complications was higher in the open surgery group (P = 0.04), especially grade 3 (P = 0.03). Pregnancy rate was higher in the laparoscopic group (P = 0.006), and the cumulative pregnancy rate was 60%. Conclusion: Our findings support that laparoscopy is a safe option for women requiring colorectal resection for endometriosis. Moreover, laparoscopy offers a higher pregnancy rate than open surgery with similar improvements in symptoms and in quality of life.