Laparoscopic treatment of recurrent small bowel obstruction secondary to ileal endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a relatively common condition characterized by implantation and proliferation of endometrial glands outside the uterus affecting 8% to 15% of women. Intestinal involvement is common, reported in 12% to 37% of individuals with the disease. The sites most often affected are the sigmoid colon and rectum (85%), while small bowel involvement is seen less frequently (7%) and usually confined to the distal ileum. The cecum (3.6%) and appendix (3%) are the sites least affected.