Impact of Adenomyosis and Endometriosis on Chronic Pelvic Pain after Niche Repair

Abstract

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is one of the main isthmocele symptoms, together with abnormal uterine bleeding and secondary infertility. When patients undergo a laparoscopic niche repair surgery, it is important to determine if they present associated pathologies, such as adenomyosis and/or endometriosis, which are also a cause of CPP. A retrospective study was performed on 31 patients with CPP undergoing a laparoscopic niche repair. The pre-operative ultrasound was analyzed to determine the presence of adenomyosis. Endometriosis was histologically diagnosed. CPP outcome was evaluated at early (3–6 months) and late (12 months) post-operative follow ups. In our population of 31 women presenting CPP, only six of them (19.4%) did not have any associated pathology. In the group of 25 patients with associated pathology, 10 (40%) had no benefit from the reconstructive surgery in terms of CPP at early follow-up (3–6 months) and 8 (32%) in the post-operative period at 12 months. Patients with CPP who undergo niche repair should be carefully selected as CPP does not seem to be a good indication for uterine scar repair in patients with concomitant adenomyosis and endometriosis.

Keywords

• adenomyosis
• endometriosis
• isthmocele
• chronic pelvic pain