Abstract
ABSTRACT
Our objective was to determine the preliminary effectiveness of surgically interrupting Frankenhauser's plexus (uterovaginal ganglion excision) for low lateral chronic pelvic pain unresponsive to previous medical and surgical treatments. Twenty-one patients referred for chronic low lateral pelvic pain underwent laparoscopic uterovaginal ganglion excision (LUVE). Visual analog scales were completed preoperatively and postoperatively. Seventeen (81%) reported good relief, and 4 (19%) failed to benefit. A significant decrease in low lateral pelvic pain (p < 0.001) was found over a mean of 18.25 months. Nine patients requiring concomitant surgery showed little differences in response rate from the 12 who did not require additional surgery (p = 0.9823). For a 50% decrease in symptoms, a power of 0.99 was obtained. A 95% confidence interval for change in pain was obtained from −6.3 to −3.1. Preoperative paracervical block did not predict surgical response. More experience with this procedure is necessary before recommendations can be made regarding patient selection and treatment. (J GYNECOL SURG 12:89, 1996)
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