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Intermittent Self-catheterization for Bladder Dysfunction After Deep Endometriosis Surgery: Duration and Factors that Might Affect the Recovery Process

Study objective: To assess the duration needed for regaining normal bladder voiding function in patients with postoperative bladder dysfunction requiring intermittent self-catheterization after deep endometriosis surgery and identify risk factors that might affect the recovery process.

Design: Retrospective study based on data recorded in a large prospective database.

Setting: Endometriosis referral center.

Patients: From September 2018 to June 2022, 1900 patients underwent excision of deep endometriosis in our center; 61 patients were discharged with recommendation for intermittent self-catheterization and were thus included in the study.

Interventions: Intermittent self-catheterization after endometriosis surgery.

Measurements and main results: A total of 43 patients (70.5%) stopped self-catheterization during the follow-up period. Median follow-up was 25 weeks (range, 7-223 wk). Surgery was performed laparoscopically in 48 patients (78.7%) and robotically in 13 (21.3%); 47 patients (77%) had nodules involving the digestive tract, 11 (18%) had urinary tract involvement, 29 had parametrial nodules (47.5%), and 13 (21.3%) had sacral plexus involvement. The probability of bladder voiding function recovery and arrest of self-catheterization was 24.5%, 54%, 59%, 72%, and 77% at 4, 8, 12, 52, and 78 weeks, respectively. Cox's multivariate model identified preoperative bladder dysfunction as the only statistically significant independent predictor for arrest of self-catheterization (hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.83).

Conclusion: Patients requiring intermittent self-catheterization for bladder dysfunction after deep endometriosis excision may spontaneously recover bladder function in 77% of cases. Symptoms suggesting preoperative bladder voiding dysfunction should be reviewed before planning surgery, and patients should be informed of the higher postoperative risk of long-term bladder voiding dysfunction.

Sari Boulus,1 Benjamin Merlot,2 Isabella Chanavaz-Lacheray,1 Sophia Braund,3 Sandesh Kade,4 Thomas Dennis,1 Horace Roman5

  1. Franco-European Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Institute, Clinique Tivoli-Ducos (Drs. Boulus, Merlot, Chanavaz-Lacheray, Dennis, and Roman), Bordeaux, France.
  2. Franco-European Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Institute, Clinique Tivoli-Ducos (Drs. Boulus, Merlot, Chanavaz-Lacheray, Dennis, and Roman), Bordeaux, France; Franco-European Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Institute Middle East Clinic (Drs. Merlot, Kade, and Roman), Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  3. Expert Center in Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Management (Dr. Braund), Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France.
  4. Franco-European Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Institute Middle East Clinic (Drs. Merlot, Kade, and Roman), Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
  5. Franco-European Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Institute, Clinique Tivoli-Ducos (Drs. Boulus, Merlot, Chanavaz-Lacheray, Dennis, and Roman), Bordeaux, France; Franco-European Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Institute Middle East Clinic (Drs. Merlot, Kade, and Roman), Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Dr. Roman), Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Electronic address: horace.roman@gmail.com.
Source: Boulus S., Merlot B., Chanavaz-Lacheray I. et al. Intermittent Self-catheterization for Bladder Dysfunction After Deep Endometriosis Surgery: Duration and Factors that Might Affect the Recovery Process. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2024 Apr;31(4):341-349. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2024.01.014.