Laparoscopic Surgery for Severe Recto-vaginal Endometriosis
This study aims to understand how a specific type of surgery for severe endometriosis, especially when it affects the area between the rectum and vagina, improves women's lives. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere. If it's severe and involves the bowel, surgery can be an option. Researchers are asking women having this surgery to fill out questionnaires before and regularly after their operation, for up to 25 years. These questionnaires help measure various aspects of their health, including their general quality of life, bowel symptoms, and pain like period pain, pain during sex, and pain during bowel movements. The goal is to see how this 'radical excision' surgery affects women's well-being in the long term.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is focused on understanding the long-term impact of a particular type of surgery for women with severe endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of the womb. When this tissue grows in the area between the rectum (the last part of the large bowel) and the vagina, it's called recto-vaginal endometriosis. This can cause very significant pain and problems with bowel function, periods, and sex. The surgery being looked at involves carefully removing all of this problematic tissue.
The main aim of the study is to find out how this surgery affects a woman's quality of life. This means looking at her overall comfort, happiness, and ability to do daily activities. Before the surgery, and then at several points over many years afterwards, women are asked to complete detailed questionnaires. These questionnaires cover important areas like general health, how their bowel is working, and how much pain they experience, such as period pain, pain during sex, or pain with bowel movements.
By collecting information over such a long period – up to 25 years – the researchers hope to get a very clear picture of the lasting benefits of this surgery. This will help doctors better advise women with severe endometriosis about their treatment options and what they can expect after surgery, ultimately improving care for many women.
Key takeaways
- This study is for women having surgery for severe endometriosis affecting the bowel and vagina.
- It aims to understand how this surgery impacts quality of life over many years.
- Participation involves completing questionnaires before and after surgery, for up to 25 years.
- There are no extra medical procedures or medications involved in the study.
- Your information can help improve future care for women with severe endometriosis.
- You can stop taking part at any time without affecting your medical treatment.
Who may be eligible?
This study is for women who are planning to have a specific type of surgery. This surgery is for severe endometriosis, especially when the condition affects the bowel (the large intestine).
If you are a woman preparing for this kind of surgery, you might be able to take part in this study. The main requirement is that you're willing to complete questionnaires about your health before and after your operation.
However, if you prefer not to fill out questionnaires or don't want your information to be used anonymously for research, then this study wouldn't be suitable for you.
- Are you a woman?
- Are you scheduled to have surgery for severe endometriosis?
- Does your endometriosis involve the bowel?
- Are you willing to fill out questionnaires about your health over a long period?
- Are you comfortable with your anonymous information being used for research?
This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part in this study, you won't need to take any new medicines or have extra tests that aren't part of your usual care. Your main role will be to fill out some questionnaires.
You'll be asked to complete these questionnaires several times: once before your surgery, and then again 2, 6, and 12 months after your surgery. After that, you'll complete them less often, at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years post-surgery. These questionnaires will ask about your general well-being, bowel symptoms, and pain. There are no additional visits to the hospital required just for this study; you'll complete the questionnaires at home.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS TrustGuildford, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of the womb, such as on the ovaries, bowel, or bladder. This can cause pain and other problems.
What is recto-vaginal endometriosis?
This is a specific type of severe endometriosis where the tissue grows in the area between the rectum (the last part of your large bowel) and the vagina.
What is 'radical excision' surgery?
This refers to an operation where a surgeon carefully removes all of the endometriosis tissue they can see, particularly when it's severe and involves areas like the bowel.
How long will I need to be in the study if I join?
The study collects information over a very long time. You would be asked to complete questionnaires for up to 25 years after your surgery, but not very frequently in the later years.
Will my doctors know if I choose not to take part?
Yes, but your decision to participate or not will not affect the medical care you receive for your endometriosis in any way.
How to find out more
Andrew Kent, TD MD FRCOG
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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