Northern Care Alliance Endometriosis Centre
At the Northern Care Alliance Endometriosis Centre, led by Miss Gaity Ahmad, all patients who had surgery for severe endometriosis (stage 4) were reviewed. Data was collected (before and after surgery) for scores of pre-menstrual, menstrual, and continuous (non-cyclical) pain. A significant improvement in all areas was found.
In addition, quality of life scores were also measured before and after surgery. They also improved and this improvement was sustained when checked two years post-surgery.
The complication rate of 250 patients with severe endometriosis was calculated at 1.3%. This is low compared to the quoted national average of 3% complication rate.
The Northern Care Alliance Endometriosis centre uses a ‘conservative approach’ to surgery for endometriosis on or near the bowel. This means that the endometriosis is shaved off the bowel, keeping the normal bowel intact. When compared to women who had affected bowel removed (bowel resection), quality of life scores show a comparable increase and complication rates have been shown to be lower.
Data has also been collected for fertility outcomes after surgery for endometriosis. The national evidence for fertility outcomes after surgery is limited. At the Northern Care Alliance, data was collected from all patients who had severe endometriosis. Of the patients who did not subsequently undergo surgery or medical therapy that would prevent pregnancy, 25% became pregnant. This is higher than the national rate of pregnancy in the general population. Of the patients in this group who expressed a wish for pregnancy at the time of surgery, 40% became pregnant.
Research
The Northern Care Alliance Endometriosis Centre recruit patients to a research study investigating new therapies for female reproductive disorders (mainly endometriosis). This project is being undertaken jointly with a team of researchers at Manchester University, and is lead by Miss Gaity Ahmad and Professor Kay Marshall.
The purpose of the research is to analyse specific biological markers to provide insight into the cause and disease process of endometriosis, identify potential targets for drug therapies, and help to improve future diagnosis & treatment of women with or at risk of the disease.
Samples are taken during operations for endometriosis and other gynaecology conditions. They include blood and urine samples, endometrium (lining of the uterus), peritoneum (thin membrane that lines the abdominal cavity), tissue containing endometriosis including from bowel, bladder, ureter, and gynaecological organs (uterus, tubes and ovaries) if they are being removed surgically.
The project will run over a period of five years. So far this year (2022), we have recruited over 30 patients and have been overwhelmed by the interest in the project and the generosity of our patients.
