ABC of Endometriosis Surgery: Aqua Blue Contrast Technique

Objective: Peritoneal endometriosis is the most prevalent yet least diagnosed type due to its unrecognizable nature on imaging modalities especially non-pigmented lesions would escape the surgeon9s eye and experience during a diagnostic laparoscopy. We used color adjuvant by the technique called Aqua Blue Contrast Technique (ABCT) to optimize the view and to improve results. Material methods: Patient charts who undergone surgery from 2014 to 2015 and their 5 years follow up data, along with two different control groups, have been analyzed retrospectively. As the first group the patients who had conventional surgery without the use of ABCT) were included, the second group were patients who had ABCT applied on both pelvic sidewalls but not in the cul-de-sac and as the third group the patients who had the surgery with the use of ABCT in all peritoneal cavity have been analyzed. Cases involving ovarian endometriomas and DIE were excluded. Results: All patients have been followed up for up to 5 years. In group 1, the recurrence within the postoperative 3 years was 11.9%, and 16.1% after 5 years of surgery. The recurrence of 3 years period and 5 years period for the patients in group 2 were 8.7& and 12.1% respectively. The patients in group 3 recurred 3.2% in the 3 years period and the 4.3% recurrence rate calculated as 4.5% for the following 5 years after surgery. Conclusion: Results indicate the elimination of the high-end spectrum of light using aqua blue contrast technique with hydrodistension of the retroperitoneum enhances the vision, allows lesions otherwise not detected with white light.