Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy: an effective treatment for anti-oestrogen resistant anovulatory infertility in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the long term efficacy of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy in the management of refractory anovulatory infertility in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.


METHODS
Open study of 50 women treated over a period of 3 years and 3 months, with follow up until 18 months after the last woman was treated.


METHODS
Teaching Hospital.


METHODS
Fifty consecutive women with refractory anovulatory infertility (mean duration 5.3 (SD 3.5) years). All had been treated unsuccessfully with anti-oestrogens and more than half with gonadotrophins.


METHODS
Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy.


METHODS
Ovulatory cycles and pregnancies.


RESULTS
Forty-three women (86%) ovulated following ovarian diathermy; the mean time to ovulation was 23 (SD 6.2) days. Three nonresponders ovulated following anti-oestrogen treatment to which they were previously resistant. Thirty-three women have conceived 58 pregnancies; 22 had no treatment other than ovarian diathermy prior to their first post-operative conception; in seven an anti-oestrogen was given because of lengthening cycles; two were treated elsewhere with gonadotrophins without prior postdiathermy anti-oestrogen therapy and conceived; four had the operation repeated and two of these conceived. Twenty-six women conceived within the first 8 post-operative months. Forty-two pregnancies ended in the birth of normal live healthy babies, eight are ongoing and eight miscarried. Of the 22 women who had no pelvic abnormality other than polycystic ovaries, 19 (86%) have had one or more successful pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy is a very effective treatment for anti-oestrogen resistant anovulatory infertility in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome and should be considered as the next step in those who fail to respond to anti-oestrogen treatment.
Armar
N A
NA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Middlesex School of Medicine, London.
Lachelin
G C
GC
D000328:Adult; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010053:Ovary / Q000601:surgery; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002996:Clomiphene