Ileocecal endometriosis: clinical and pathogenetic implications of an underdiagnosed condition

Infiltrating ileocecal endometriosis requiring bowel resection was associated in all cases with infiltrating rectovaginal endometriosis, possibly reflecting a common pathogenesis. A thorough clinical evaluation of women with rectovaginal endometriosis might allow an improvement in the difficult preoperative diagnosis of ileocecal endometriosis. Our data support the long-term efficacy of the radical surgical resection of associated ileocecal and rectovaginal endometriotic lesions in reducing pelvic pain, constipation, and dyschezia.