Background: Surgical management of deep endometriosis infiltrating pelvic nerves may allow an overall improvement in pain and neurologic disorders. Objective: To assess 1-year postoperative outcomes of surgery for deep endometriosis involving sacral roots and the sciatic nerve. Study Design: Retrospective study including 52 women undergoing surgery for deep endometriosis involving sacral roots and the sciatic nerve. We assessed 1-year postoperative outcomes. Results: Deep endometriosis involved sacral roots in 49 women (94.2%) and the sciatic nerve in 3 cases (5.8%). Sciatic pain was recorded in 43 women (82.7%), pudendal neuralgia in 11 women (21.2%) and leg motor weakness in 14 cases (27%). Surgical procedures carried out on pelvic nerves included complete releasing and decompression (92.3%), excision of epineurium (5.8%) and intraneural excision (1.9%). Additional procedures involved the digestive tract in 82.7% of cases and the urinary tract in 46.2%. Rectovaginal fistula occurred in 13.5% of cases. Self-catheterisation was required in 14 cases (27%) at 3 weeks after surgery, and in only 3 women (5.8%) 12 months later. One-year follow up showed significant improvement in quality of life using SF36 and standardised gastrointestinal scores. De novo hypoesthesia, hyperaesthesia or allodynia were recorded in 9 women (17.2%). The cumulative pregnancy rate was 77.2% following natural conception in 47%. Conclusions: Laparoscopic management of deep endometriosis involving sacral roots and the sciatic nerve improves patient symptoms and overall quality of life. Although pain reduction may be rapid following surgery, other sensory or motor complaints including bladder dysfunction may be recorded over months or years.

Background: Even though preventive stoma is unlikely to ensure primary healing in women with juxtaposed rectal and vaginal sutures, it may be considered, in selected patients at risk of rectovaginal fistula, to reduce fistula related complications. Objective: To assess whether a generalized use of preventive stoma reduces the rate of rectovaginal fistula in women with excision of deep endometriosis requiring concomitant vaginal and rectal sutures. Study Design: Retrospective comparative study including 363 patients with deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum and the vagina. They were managed by either rectal disk excision or colorectal resection, concomitantly with vaginal excision, in two centers (Rouen and Bordeaux) each following differing policies concerning the use of stoma. The prevalence of rectovaginal fistula was assessed, and risk factors analysed. Results: 241 and 122 women received surgery in respectively Rouen and Bordeaux. The rate of preventive stoma was 71.4% in Rouen (N=172) and 30.3% in Bordeaux (N=37). Rectovaginal fistula were recorded in 31 cases (8.5%): 19 women in Rouen and 12 women in Bordeaux. Performing rectal sutures less than 8 cm above the anal verge increased the risk of rectovaginal fistula more than 3-fold, independently of other risk factors (OR 3.4, 95%CI 1.3-9.1). Conclusions: No statistically significant differences were found in terms of risk of rectovaginal fistula between women with rectovaginal endometriosis managed respectively by a generalized or restrictive use of preventive stoma. A higher risk of rectovaginal fistula independently related to a low rectal stapled line, less than 8 cm above the anal verge.