Parametrial Endometriosis: the Occult Condition that Makes the Hard Harder

Abstract Study Objective Despite the enormous impact of lateral parametrial endometriosis (LPE), only a few studies have evaluated its diagnosis, prevalence, and clinical features. Our aim was to estimate the intraoperative prevalence of LPE in patients affected by deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and to analyses clinical and surgical data associated with LPE. Design Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Endometriosis tertiary level referral center, Sant'Orsola Academic Hospital, Bologna, Italy. Patients We included 1360 consecutive women submitted to surgery for DIE between 2007 and 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence (study group, n = 231) or absence (control group, n = 1129) of LPE. Intervention We retrospectively compared data records on the demographic features, preoperative data, and surgical outcomes of the 2 groups. Measurements and Main Results The intraoperative prevalence of LPE was 17%. Preoperatively, LPE patients complained of having a more severe intensity of dysmenorrhea (p Conclusions LPE is a condition that reflects a more severe manifestation of endometriosis, requiring more aggressive surgery.