Laparoscopic diagnosis and treatment of PID

Abstract

The incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in young women (age 20–29) has increased twofold since 1970 (Westrom, 1980). The prognosis for recovery from this condition depends on early and effective treatment. When treatment is delayed or inadequate, sequelae such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy or chronic pelvic pain are more likely to occur. The term PID is frequently used synonymously with acute salpingitis (AS), but this is incorrect. Clinically speaking, PID includes: (1) acute or subacute salpingitis and/or endometritis which may cause various degrees of pelvic pain as well as clinical or biological signs of inflammation; and (2) chronic salpingitis (CS) which may remain silent and only come to diagnosis years later because of sterility.