[Left lateral predisposition of endometrioma].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether asymmetry exists in the left- and right-handed distribution of ovarian cystic lesions in women with endometriosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluate operative reports of women who underwent first line surgical treatment of endometrioma (n=154) from January 2000 to December 2002. Data of all operative findings consisted of a written report, and a diagram, the revised American Fertility Society classification of endometriosis.

RESULTS

Endometrioma was found in the left ovary (n=81), in the right ovary (n=39), and bilaterally (n=34). Left ovarian endometrioma was found more frequently (67,5%) than the right endometrioma (P<.001, odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.5, 3.7). This trend was not related to the size of the endometrioma.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm a left lateral predisposition of ovarian endometrioma. It is probably caused by the decreased fluid movement in the left side of the pelvis because of the presence of sigmoid colon. These findings may support the theory that the origin of endometriosis is from the regurgitated endometrial cells.