Adhesion formation after laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface in polycystic ovary patients

To evaluate the incidence and extent of periovarian adhesion formation subsequent to laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface in infertility patients with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD).

From a total of 199 PCOD patients treated with ovarian electrocautery, 50 cases of laparoscopy and 12 cesarean sections served as second-look investigation. A subgroup of 30 patients had abdominal lavage and artificial ascites after surgery; they underwent "early" second-look (2 to 14 days after laparoscopy).

All patients were referred to our fertility outpatient clinic affiliated with the university hospital.

Infertility patients with polycystic ovarian reaction to hormonal stimulation therapy underwent laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface.

Adhesion formation was detected in 19.3%; the incidence reduced to 16.6% with the use of abdominal lavage. The adhesions found were obviously due to bleeding of the ovarian capsule caused by electrocautery. Adhesiolysis was easily possible during "early" second-look.

The incidence of de novo adhesion formation caused by laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface seems to be lower than after ovarian wedge resection; it can be reduced by abdominal lavage and artificial ascites.