Laparoscopic Double Discoid Resection With a Circular Stapler for Bowel Endometriosis.

Abstract

Abstract Study Objective To demonstrate the technique of laparoscopic double discoid resection with a circular stapler for bowel endometriosis. Design Case report (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting Private hospital in Curitiba, Parana, Brazil. Patient A 33-year-old woman was referred to our service complaining about cyclic dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and cyclic dyschezia. Transvaginal ultrasound with bowel preparation showed a 6-cm endometriotic nodule at the retrocervical area, uterosacral ligaments, posterior vaginal fornix, and anterior rectal wall, infiltrating up to the submucosa, 5 cm far from the anal verge. Interventions Under general anesthesia, the patient was placed in the dorsal decubitus position with her arms alongside her body and her lower limbs in abduction. Pneumoperitoneum was achieved using a Veres needle placed at the umbilicus. Four trocars were placed: a 10-mm trocar at the umbilicus for the zero-degree laparoscope; a 5-mm trocar at the right anterosuperior iliac spine; a 5-mm trocar in the midline between the umbilicus and the pubic symphysis, approximately 8 to 10 cm inferior to the umbilical trocar; and a 5-mm trocar at the left anterosuperior iliac spine. The entire pelvis was inspected for endometriotic lesions, and all implants in the anterior compartment of the pelvis were resected. The lesions located at the ovarian fossae were completely removed. The ureters were identified bilaterally, and both para-rectal fossae were dissected. The right hypogastric nerve was released from the disease laterally. The lesion was separated from the retrocervical area, and the posterior vaginal fornix was resected (reverse technique), leaving the disease attached to the anterior surface of the rectum. The lesion was shaved off the anterior rectal wall using a harmonic scalpel. A x-shaped stitch was placed at the anterior rectal wall using 2-0 mononylon suture. A 33-mm circular stapler was placed transanally under laparoscopic control, and once it reached the area to be resected, it was opened. A gap was created between the envil and the stapler. The anterior rectal wall was placed inside this gap with the aid of the stitch at the anterior rectal wall. The stapler was fired, and a piece of the anterior rectal wall was resected. The same procedure was performed using a 29-mm circular stapler, which allowed for the complete removal of the lesion. We usually perform the second discoid resection using a 29-mm circular stapler to allow an easy progression of the stapler through the rectum beyond the first stapler line, so not to put too much pressure on it. In our experience, the first discoid resection removes most of the disease, and the second discoid resection is only needed to remove a small amount of residual disease, along with the first staple line. Measurements and Main Results The procedure took 177 min, and the estimated blood loss was 100 mL. The patient started clear liquids 6 hours after the procedure, and was discharged 19 hours after that [1]. Pathological examination of the 2 strips of the anterior rectal wall revealed infiltration of the bowel wall by endometriotic tissue. She had an uneventful postoperative course, and was able to re-start sexual intercourse 50 days after surgery. Between January 2010 and January 2015, 315 women underwent laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of bowel endometriosis in our service. Among them, 16 (5.1%) were operated on by using the double discoid resection technique. Median age of the patients was 34 years, and median body mass index was 25.9 kg/m 2 . Median preoperative cancer antigen-125 level was 26.5 U/mL (normal value is Conclusions Laparoscopic double discoid resection with circular stapler may be an alternative to segmental bowel resection in selected patients with bowel endometriosis.