Endometriosis: Diagnosis and Treatment: From Fingernails to the Robot

Abstract

Endometriosis, the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside of the endometrial cavity, is a disease that causes pelvic pain and infertility. Unfortunately, this disease is often undiagnosed for years, resulting in a delay in treatment. Therefore, the clinician must maintain a high index of suspicion to minimize the morbidity of the disease. In recent years, there have been many advances in the treatment of endometriosis, with video-assisted laparoscopic surgery (VALS) at the forefront of these changes. Because endometriosis can affect many organ systems, an interdisciplinary approach is often needed to treat these patients. This review will address diagnosis, work-up, and management of this complex disease.