Laparoscopic Management of Ureteral Endometriosis: The Stanford University Hospital Experience With 96 Consecutive Cases

Abstract

PURPOSE: We report the clinical characteristics and the principles of laparoscopic management of ureteral endometriosis at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients with ureteral endometriosis. RESULTS: Preoperatively 97% of patients complained of pain but only a third had urinary symptoms. The left ureter was affected in 64% of cases and disease was bilateral in 10%. Four patients had hydroureter and 2 had hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this report represents the largest series of laparoscopically treated, pathologically confirmed ureteral endometriotic cases to date. It confirms that laparoscopic diagnosis and management of ureteral endometriosis are safe and efficient. All patients who undergo laparoscopy for endometriosis should be evaluated for possible ureteral involvement regardless of the presence or absence of urinary symptoms, or prior radiological evaluation since undiagnosed ureteral disease may result in loss of renal function.