Management of patients with urinary tract endometriosis by gynecologists

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to report the postoperative outcomes of urinary tract endometriosis (UTE), which is a form of deep, infiltrative endometriosis, and to contribute to the literature by presenting our experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study, patients who underwent surgery for endometriosis at our clinic between 2005 and 2019 and had a final pathological diagnosis of UTE were examined in detail. Patient information was retrospectively retrieved from the medical records. Data obtained pre-, peri-, and postoperatively were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age of the 70 patients included, according to the study criteria, was 32.73±7.09 years. Ureteral involvement alone was observed in 49% (n=34) of the patients, bladder involvement alone was observed in 24% (n=17) of the patients, and both bladder and ureteral involvement were observed in 27% (n=19) of the patients. Microscopic hematuria was detected in 16% (n=11) of the patients, whereas preoperative urinary tract findings, such as recurrent urinary tract infections, were detected in 19% patients (n=13). Of the patients, 56% (n=39) were identified with dyspareunia, 56% (n=39) with dysmenorrhea, and 30% (n=21) with pelvic pain. Visual analog scale score was significantly lower after the procedure (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Although postoperative results were typically considered positive, surgical method performed in deep infiltrative endometriosis should aim to preserve fertility, improve quality of life, and reduce the complication rate to a minimum.