BACKGROUND: Young women with nondescript abdominal pain can be difficu
lt to diagnose. Although extrapelvic endometriosis is infrequent, we h
ave treated 7 patients over the past 3 years with endometriosis in the
abdominal wall, inguinal canal, or surgical incisions as the etiology
of their symptoms, PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical reco
rds of patients whose final pathology report confirmed a diagnosis of
extrapelvic endometriosis, Seven women who were treated at the Univers
ity of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital from May 1, 1991 through Apr
il 30, 1994 were identified, RESULTS: All patients were premenopausal
with no history of pelvic endometriosis. In 4 patients, symptoms were
cyclical, Surgical excision was initially curative in 5 patients. Two
women required reexcision. The diagnosis of endometriosis was establis
hed at exploration by gross appearance and by frozen section,CONCLUSIO
NS: Endometriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of
a symptomatic mass in a celiotomy scar, the abdominal wall, or the ing
uinal canal, Principles of management include obtaining an accurate di
agnosis and performing an adequate excision to prevent recurrence.