Laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface in infertile patients with polycystic ovarian disease.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the endocrinologic and clinical outcome after laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery because of polycystic reaction to ovarian stimulation in anovulatory infertility patients.


METHODS
Between 1986 and 1989, 133 patients with polycystic ovarian disease underwent laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface in an outpatient clinic after conventional ovarian stimulation had led to polycystic reaction.


METHODS
All patients were referred to our outpatient clinic affiliated with the university hospital.


RESULTS
The reduction of androgen levels and normalization of cycle length were highly significant. The overall pregnancy rate was 70% (73 of 104), ranging from 27% in smokers to 94% in nonsmoking couples. In 26 second-look operations de novo adhesions were found in 26.9% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic coagulation of the ovarian surface is an effective tool to reduce elevated androgen levels and to improve the intraovarian mechanism of selecting a dominant follicle. A postoperative complication may be adhesion formation.
Institute for Hormone and Fertility Research, University of Hamburg, Germany.
O G
OG
Naether
R
R
Fischer
H C
HC
Weise
L
L
Geiger-Kötzler
T
T
Delfs
K
K
Rudolf
D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010053:Ovary / Q000601:surgery*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control
D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone