Abstract
Study question
Is there a classification for a complete mapping of endometriosis, including anatomical location, size of the lesions, and degree of involvement that can be used with both, diagnostics and surgery?
Summary answer
#Enzian classification improves in both, non-invasive diagnostic methods and surgical therapy for endometriosis as a universally usable classification system for all aspects of the disease.
What is known already
The most commonly used r-ASRM classification has certain limitations due to its incomplete description of DE, the complexity of the classification, and lack of reproducibility. In contrast, the Enzian classification, which has been implemented in the last decade, has proved to be the most suitable for the description of DE. However, since it does not include peritoneal and ovarian lesions and lacks a description of tubo-ovarian adhesions, it has not gained full acceptance. A combination of classification with different systems such as r-ASRM, EFI score and Enzian, may complicate classification of the disease due to overlaps and time-consuming documentation.
Study design, size, duration
The result is a consensus of a panel of renowned clinicians (working group), gynaecological surgeons and sonographers with extensive expertise in diagnosis and therapy of endometriosis. A first draft was written in 2019 by a joint effort of the first and last author and sent to all working group members. Taking all comments into account, a revised draft was then sent to all coauthors and repeated until a consensus was reached (9 revisions).
Participants/materials, setting, methods
Criteria used to invite the experts to participate in this consensus process included their having significant peer-reviewed publications in the field of diagnosis and management of endometriosis.
Main results and the role of chance
Our current proposal is the first of its kind to universally describe superficial and deep endometriosis, ovarian endometriosis, adenomyosis and adhesions by using a classification system that can be applied by gynaecologists, surgeons, sonographers and radiologists following the same principles. The correlation between preoperative and surgical staging, on the basis of the Enzian scheme, allows for consistent and clear classification of endometriosis, especially DE. Endometriosis can be mapped completely with one single classification system enabling the use of one common language.
Limitations, reasons for caution
This classification system is anatomically logical and should be easy to use. Further studies are ongoing and are needed to provide proof for the applicability, reproducibility and accuracy of the #Enzian classification for the description of endometriosis.
Wider implications of the findings: #Enzian classification now enabled better coverage of various endometriosis localizations. The possibility of using this system preoperatively as well as postoperatively within the framework of diagnostics offers clinicians a significant improvement in the care of patients with such a complex disease.
Trial registration number
Not applicable
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