Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine whether laparoscopic surgery for endometriomas relieves painful symptoms. A systematic literature search was carried out to identify papers relating to the laparoscopic management of endometriomas, where relief of painful symptoms was an outcome measure. Each paper was analyzed using preset criteria to identify the methodology used and how the results were reported. There is very little objective, prospective evidence to support the practice of laparoscopic surgery for endometriomas in terms of relieving pelvic pain. Only one study out of six analyzed dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic nonmenstrual pain individually, using visual analog scores. This study demonstrated a benefit following surgery. There is an urgent need for studies with objective end points or a national system to audit results.
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