OBJECTIVE: This study aims to demonstrate the importance of three-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography (US 3D) in the diagnosis of deep endometriosis and level of intestinal involvement in the decision of the therapy of endometriosis of rectovaginal septum. METHODS: A prospective study between March 2007 and July 2009. Sixty-five women with pelvic endometriosis and gastrointestinal complaints were evaluated and submitted to 3D U.S.. Twenty patients, mean age 33.7 years, with suspected of intestinal endometriosis were submitted to laparoscopic procedure and surgical treatment. RESULTS: In nineteen women (95%), the laparoscopic findings confirmed endometriosis in the rectum. The procedure was performed to laparoscopy: the focus peritoneal excision (n = 1), partial resection of rectosigmoid (n = 9), excision of a nodule of rectum (n = 10). The average operative time per procedure was 120 minutes. The average time to stay in hospital was 1.7 days. Two patients had the appearance as complication of rectovaginal fistula. CONCLUSION: We conclude that three-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography is specific in the assessment of anorectal segment, crucial for detecting endometriosis focus of the rectovaginal septum and evaluates possible associated diseases in this segment, determining the appropriate therapeutic strategy and surgical.
Endometriosis; Ultrasonography; Colorectal Surgery, Diagnosis; Laparoscopy
