Current Concepts in the Management of Endometriosis.

Lim, Yong Taik

Obstet Gynecol Sci > Volume 48(3); 2005 > Article

Review

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2005;48(3):533-544.
Published online March 1, 2005.

Current Concepts in the Management of Endometriosis.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kang Nam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea. ymandi@ksog.org

Abstract

Endometriosis has been known as the benign malignancy which encompasses the unpredictable clinical symptoms and signs with formidable personal morbidity. There are many unresolved controversies in terms of the management of endometriosis with the innate chronic gynecologic disease. In many cases of endometriosis patients, the diagnosis might be delayed without the appropriate clinical concerns. Furthermore, the superficial endometriotic lesions will progress into the deeply infiltrating lesions. The malignant transformation such as endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers can be occurred without the adequate surgical removal of ovarian endometriosis. Deeply infiltrating lesions can invade into the vital organs such as ureter, rectum, bladder, and peripheral nerves. These inappropriate clinical evaluation and management will eventually leave the persistent endometeriotic lesions in the female pelvis and these will cause chronic relentless incapacitating pain. These situations will decrease the quality of life in the endometriosis patients. Therefore the liberal use of laparoscopic surgery should be introduced in the clinically suspicious endometriosis patients and the long-term intervention should be provided to avoid recurrences and long-term complications of endometriosis.

Key Words: Endometriosis, Laparoscopic surgery, Long-term management