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.

Also, this study found no substantial disparity in urinary questionnaire scores among participants with and without uterovesical endometriosis or across different stages of the disease. But, the participants who experienced post-operative urinary retention or infections expressed higher scores in certain domains when compared to their counterparts.

These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive post-operative care in monitoring and managing urinary complications for the women who were undergoing laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. The implications of this study extend beyond clinical settings that emphasize the need for elevated awareness and support for individuals with long-term urinary challenges post-surgery.

Study:

Nguyen, K., McCormack, L., Deans, R., Nesbitt-Hawes, E., Knapman, B., Li, F., Lim, C., & Abbott, J. A. (2024). A Prospective Study of Bladder Function Following Endometriosis Surgery With Up to Eight years Follow-up. In Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology (Vol. 31, Issue 3, pp. 205-212.e4). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2023.11.020