Scar Endometriosis Presenting with Abdominal Pain: Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Outcomes in a Single-Center Series of 31 Patients
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, and surgical management of patients operated for scar endometriosis (SEM).
Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients who underwent surgical treatment and had histopathologically confirmed SEM between January 2012 and December 2024. Demographic data, symptoms, imaging methods, surgical details, and follow-up outcomes were evaluated.
Results: The mean age of patients was 32.7±7.18 years, and the mean number of cesarean sections was 1.68±0.98. The most common presenting symptoms were pain and swelling, observed concurrently in 83.9% of cases. Lesions were primarily located at the Pfannenstiel incision site (87.1%). Diagnosis was most frequently established by ultrasonography (64.5%), followed by computed tomography (25.8%) and magnetic resonance imaging (9.7%). Surgical management involved excision alone in 77.4% of patients and excision with mesh repair in 22.6%. The mean lesion size was 2.72±0.86 cm, and the mean follow-up duration was 6.84±2.98 years, with a recurrence rate of 6.5%.
Conclusions: SEM is a rare complication following cesarean delivery, with increasing incidence correlating with cesarean rates. Enhanced clinical awareness, thorough evaluation, and excision with clear surgical margins improve diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes and reduce recurrence. Larger, prospective studies are needed to establish standardized diagnostic and treatment algorithms for SEM.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
General Surgery
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Reşit Çiftçi
0000-0001-8818-9933
Türkiye
Mehmet Gümer
0000-0003-2097-9191
Türkiye
Fırat Erkmen
0000-0001-7102-8973
Türkiye
Faik Tatlı
0000-0002-7488-1854
Türkiye
Ali Uzunköy
0000-0002-1857-4681
Türkiye
Early Pub Date
September 11, 2026
Publication Date
-
Submission Date
April 7, 2026
Acceptance Date
September 7, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication