How does electrocautery (ovarian drilling) work for infertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

A randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy versus gonadotropin therapy for women with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome. (2002) 3554

Farquhar CM, Williamson K, Gudex G, Johnson NP, Garland J, Sadler L.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, National Women's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.c.farquhar@auckland. Ac.nz

Fertil Steril 2002 Aug;78(2):404-11

Objectives:

To compare the effectiveness of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy with gonadotropin ovulation induction for women with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome.

Design:

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting:

A tertiary referral fertility clinic.

Patients:

Women with anovulatory infertility secondary to clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome. Inclusion criteria were age of<39 years, body mass index of<35 kg/m(2), failure to ovulate with 150 mg of clomiphene citrate for 5 days in the early follicular phase, >12 months of infertility, and no other causes of infertility.

Intervention(s):

Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy versus three cycles of urinary or recombinant gonadotropins.

Settings, Design and Main Outcome Measures:

Cumulative pregnancy and miscarriage rates.

Result(s):

Cumulative pregnancy rates were 28% at 6 months for laparoscopic ovarian diathermy and 33% for three cycles of ovulation induction with gonadotropins. There were three miscarriages in each group. Women in the laparoscopic ovarian diathermy arm of the study had four additional spontaneous pregnancies 6 to 12 months after surgery.

Conclusion(s):

There was no statistically significant difference in pregnancy or miscarriage rates during the 6-month follow-up period or the three cycles. Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy is a safe and effective alternative to ovulation induction with gonadotropins.

See Also:

• Infertility Causes - Treatment
• Infertility - Anovulation - Egg release Problems
• Infertlity - Tubal Problems
• Infertility - Male Factor
  
  
  

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