Does laparoscopic cystectomy and cauterization of endometriomas greater than 3 cm diminish ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during IVF-ET? A case-control study

AIMS: The objective of this study is to evaluate the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer results of patients with endometriomas pretreated with laparoscopic cystectomy and cauterization compared with age-matched tubal infertility patients. METHODS: Records of the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer unit have been retrospectively reviewed from September 2000 to September 2004. Twenty-two patients who underwent surgery for endometriomas and participated in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedure, were detected and age-matched with 22 tubal factor infertility patients. RESULTS: Higher follicle numbers greater than 14 mm in size were achieved in the tubal infertility group than the endometriosis group. Duration of hyperstimulation, number of ampoules used, good quality embryos, transferred embryos and fertilization rates were similar in each group. Clinical pregnancy rates per cycle, determined as fetal heart beat demonstration on sonography, were 45% and 36% for the endometrioma group and the tubal infertility group respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cystectomy and cauterization for ovarian endometriomas decreases ovarian follicle reserve and does not impede pregnancy rate per cycle during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedure.