title: Laparoscopic surgery for subfertility related to endometriosis: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endometriosis is the presence of an endometrial gland or stroma in sites other than the uterine cavity and it is frequently diagnosed in infertile women. It has not been well established whether laparoscopic surgery improves fertility. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery for subfertility related to endometriosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Main electronic databases were searched for randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials. Trials were included if they were randomized or nonrandomized controlled trials that compared the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of subfertility associated with endometriosis versus other treatment methods or diagnostic laparoscopy only. Six studies were included in this meta-analysis. Outcomes analyzed included live birth rate, pregnancy rate, fetal losses, and surgical complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An overall advantage of laparoscopic surgery was demonstrated when analyzing live birth rate [relative risk (RR) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-1.84, p < 0.01]. An increase in pregnancy rate after laparoscopic surgery was seen (RR of 1.44, 95% CI 1.24-1.68, p < 0.01). No significant difference in foetal losses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of subfertility related to minimal endometriosis may increase the chances of future pregnancy and live birth.
authors.affiliation: Sydney School of Public Health, Edward Ford Building (A27), The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: jwjxz@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Xingzhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Sydney School of Public Health, Edward Ford Building (A27), The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Julieta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz Beguerie
mesh_terms: D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D050498:Live Birth; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate
keywords: endometriosis; fertility; laparoscopy; subfertility