Lymph Node Involvement in Deep Infiltrating Intestinal Endometriosis: Does It Really Mean Anything?

Abstract Study Objective To review our data for any correlation between the severity of endometriosis and lymph node involvement. Design Observational study with control (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting Public medical center. Patients All women who underwent laparoscopic segmental rectal resection for endometriosis at our institution (Sacro Cuore Negrar Hospital) between 2000 and 2010. Interventions We retrospectively included 140 cases of colorectal surgery for intestinal endometriosis performed between 2004 and 2010 in our institution. Based on histopathological analysis of specimens, we divided our population into 2 groups: 70 patients with lymph node involvement and 70 patients without lymph node involvement. Measurements and Main Results No statistical correlation was found between the positivity of lymph nodes and the rate of intestinal stenosis, the histopathological specimen infiltration rate and depth and the intestinal recurrence rate. Only a poor correlation was found with preoperative CA-125 serous levels. Conclusion The presence of lymph nodes involvement in intestinal resection specimens does not modify the natural history of the disease. The reason of its presence still has to be determined.