Publication:

General surgeon’s experience in managing extra pelvic endometriosis

Two unusual cases of extrapelvic endometriosis are discussed here. Both presented themselves to the general surgeons. Case 1 presented with cyclical painful abdominal wall mass at the left iliac fossa region. Ultrasound and computed tomography scan showed a solitary mass at the subcutaneous region and fine needle aspiration cytology revealed endometriosis. The patient underwent wide surgical excision and recovered. Case 2 presented with painless swelling at the left inguinal area whilst being pregnant. Surgical exploration was performed for ‘left inguinal hernia’ but an encysted mass was found in the inguinal canal which was excised. Histopathological examination reported endometriosis. Both cases were subsequently under gynaecological follow-up. It is important for the surgeons to include endometriosis as one of the differential diagnosis in the management of their female patients with mass or swelling.