Robot-assisted Versus Standard Laparoscopic Approach for the Surgical Treatment of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

In the researchers' words

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a severe form of endometriosis in which lesions affect retroperitoneal tissue and pelvic organs wall. It is often a cause of significant pain (dysmenorrhea, dysuria, dyspnea, dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain) and infertility, drastically reducing patients' quality of life. Surgical therapy with complete removal of endometriotic lesions is often necessary when the disease is resistant to medical therapy. The minimally invasive surgical approach has proved to be the most advantageous. Over time, there has been a growing use in the gynecological field of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. Several clinical cases and retrospective studies on robotic surgery for DIE have highlighted favorable surgical outcomes, with the exception of operative times, compared to standard laparoscopic approach. However, a randomized control studies comparing surgical outcomes and postoperative pelvic organs function in women with DIE submitted to robotic-assisted or conventional laparoscopy is missing. In order to analyze the real impact of robotic advances the present study sought to assess surgical outcomes and urinary, bowel and sexual functions in women with DIE requiring minimally invasive surgery through robot-assisted or conventional lps approach.