Occult somatic pathology in women with chronic pelvic pain.

Recent investigations have documented the importance of ruling out occult nongynecologic diagnoses such as myofascial syndrome, IBS, urethral syndrome, and psychogenic disorders in women with CPP and normal laparoscopy. In light of current data regarding the prevalence of nonsomatic and nongynecologic somatic pathology among patients with pelvalgia, it seems clear that "definitive" surgical therapy consisting of total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is neither definitive nor indicated in the large majority of these cases.