Comparison of reoperation for moderate (stage III) and severe (stage IV) endometriosis-related infertility with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of reoperation for stage III or IV endometriosis-related infertility versus IVF-ET. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer unit and tertiary infertility clinic. PATIENTS: Twenty-three couples with stage III or IV endometriosis-related infertility undergoing IVF-ET and 18 women undergoing reoperation for stage III or IV disease, both groups undergoing treatment after failed initial surgery to restore fertility. RESULTS: The cumulative pregnancy rate (CPR) after reoperation for stage III or IV endometriosis-related infertility after 3, 7, and 9 months was 5.9 percent, 18.1 percent and 24.4 percent, respectively. The cumulative PR after one and two cycles of IVF-ET with stage III or IV endometriosis was 33.3 percent and 69.6 percent, respectively. The cumulative PR after one cycle of IVF-ET was higher than with reoperation 33.3 percent versus 24.4 percent. After two cycles the cumulative PR was significantly higher than reoperation 69.6 percent versus 24.4 percent. The mean number of oocytes retrieved was 8.5 +/- 4.6, the mean number of embryos was 4.8 +/- 2.9, and the fertilization rate was 64 percent +/- 21.8 percent. The PR per cycle, per oocyte retrieval and per ET was 38 percent, 42 percent, and 44 percent, respectively, with the implantation rate being 16 percent. The live birth rate per oocyte retrieval and per ET was 29.7 percent and 34.4 percent, respectively. No statistically significant difference could be demonstrated with regard to the fertilization, implantation, nor pregnancy or live birth rates, as compared with IVF-ET outcome with tubal infertility. CONCLUSION: If initial surgery fails to restore fertility in patients with moderate (stage III) or severe (stage IV) endometriosis-related infertility, IVF-ET is an effective alternative; reoperation for asymptomatic patients offers little added benefit.