The role of surgery in infertility

In 270 infertility patients seen between 1990 and 1991 in a private gynaecological practice, two-thirds had pelvic disease requiring surgery (personal series). Sixty percent of the patients became pregnant subsequent to surgery for pelvic adhesions, endometriosis, tubal blockage, fibroids, adenomyosis, and uterine intracavity polyps, fibroids or adhesions. In contrast, only 12% of male infertility can be treated by surgery (Hudson, Baker and de Kretser, 1980).