HybridAPC vs. Excision for Treatment of Endometriosis- a RCT

Study objective: Endometriosis is a benign but potentially serious gynaecological condition in terms of abdominal pain and impaired fertility. Laparoscopic excision techniques are considered the therapeutic standard. HybridAPC is presented as a novel technique for the non-contact thermal ablation of peritoneal endometriosis with simultaneous protection of the underlying thermosensitive structures by creating a needle-free elevated fluid cushion which enables a safer exposure and distance, as well as potentially improved peritoneal conditioning prior to APC. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled, and single-blinded clinical study. Settings: Women's health department in a university hospital. Patients: 39 patients who presented with peritoneal endometriosis during a diagnostic laparoscopy and an indication for a second laparoscopy. Interventions: 132 superficial endometriotic lesions were treated with HybridAPC or sharp excision in an initial laparoscopic procedure according to randomization. In a second-look laparoscopy, adhesion formation was rated macroscopically. Histologic samples were taken from previously treated areas for evaluation of eradication rate.