Focus for the future: tackling the 'pelvic pain' problem in gynecologic practice - an interactive session

Objective: The clinical management of women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and endometriosis involves important issues that exist at the interface bet ween these two conditions. Methods: To address these issues, an interactive session was convened to discuss an empiric algorithmic protocol for the cl inical management of CPP and endometriosis presented during the Take da-spo nsored session as part of the XVI FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obs tetrics and to monitor the audience response to this approach. Results: App roximately one-third of the audience responded that they would definitely t ry this method, approximately 18% were already using it, and approximately 21% would be fairly likely to try it. Thirty percent of the audience was no t convinced that the empiric approach is the best management strategy. Conc lusion: The advantages of this management strategy should be carefully cons idered, and discussed with colleagues who do think it is the reasonable tre atment approach in selected cases. (C) 2001 International Federation of Gyn ecology and Obstetrics. All rights reserved.