title: Use of the Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of endometriosis.
abstract: Thirty-eight patients had laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis by the use of the Nd:YAG laser, combined with a fiber-optic cable equipped with sapphire contact tips. In this preliminary investigative study patients in all four revised American Fertility Society classifications were treated for both gynecologic disability and infertility. The analysis of the parameters studied for gynecologic disability indicated significant clinical improvement. The 18 patients with associated infertility had a conception rate of 67% for all stages of infertility. The study shows that the Nd:YAG laser used laparoscopically with the sapphire contact tip is safe and that its efficacy compares with that of other conservative surgical modalities.
authors.affiliation: St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Shirk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D010535:Laparoscopy; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D012449:Safety