Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis linked to decreased urinary health not dependent on severity: Study

A recent study analyzed the long-term urinary function of women who were undergoing laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. The findings published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology highlights a concerning decline in urinary health post-operation, irrespective of the severity or location of the disease.

This study meticulously tracked the urinary function of women with histologically confirmed endometriosis from April 2012 to November 2019. This research assessed baseline urinary function before surgery and followed up with participants between February and October 2020.

The results involved a total of 289 participants out of 518 with confirmed endometriosis and unveiled a significant deterioration in urinary function over time. 12.1% of the participants sought treatment for bladder symptoms, while 28.0% reported at least one urinary tract infection since their initial surgery that occurred at an average of 50 months post-operatively.

Using validated questionnaires, the team led by Kimberly Nguyen evaluated various urinary domains including filling, voiding, incontinence and quality of life. The scores revealed a marked escalation in symptoms from pre-operative to post-operative stages which indicates a concerning decline in urinary health.