SCIATIC HERNIA AS A CAUSE OF CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN IN WOMEN

Objective: To review experience with 20 women treated for sciatic hern ia between 1993 and 1997. Methods: Patients with chronic pelvic pain a nd sciatic hernias, identified retrospectively from chart review, were seen during a 46-month period that covered the surgical experience at our institution and included approximately 1100 cases. The median len gth of follow-up was 13 months (range 3-36). Results: Sciatic hernia w as diagnosed in 20 white women with chronic pelvic pain and was treate d using laparoscopy. In 14 cases the hernias were right sided, in five they were left sided, and in one they were bilateral. All sciatic her nias contained the ipsilateral ovary alone or with its fallopian tube. All 20 patients reported symptomatic relief at follow-up Conclusion: Sciatic hernia is a cause of chronic pelvic pain and should be conside red in the differential diagnosis. (C) 1998 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.