Twenty-year history of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain: Too much surgery or not enough?

A 36-year-old woman with a 20-year history of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain was a unique case from a total of 700 patients with endometriosis recently evaluated at Yale University. Her previous treatments included 11 surgical procedures related to pelvic pain or endometriosis. Multiple recurrences of endometriosis were documented. Although clearly an unusual case, our patient highlights the importance of using even the most advanced surgical techniques judiciously. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:1103-4.)