INCREASED HISTOLOGIC CONFIRMATION OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

This retrospective documentation study was designed to study the possible causes associated with a 64% increase in histologic diagnosis of endometriosis between 1982 and 1986. The largest area of increase was associated with the use of operative laparoscopy. There was a minor increase at laparotomy, whereas at hysterectomy there was no appreciable change in histologic diagnosis. Although there was an overall increase in sensitivity (measure of the surgeon's ability to see and document endometriosis when present) and predictive positivity (surgeon's ability to predict what the pathologist will see) among all subgroups of physicians, the largest increase was associated with an increased use of therapeutic laparoscopy. The lowest sensitivities were associated with coexistent pathology, such as myomata, pelvic cancer, and severe adhesions.