Laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface in infertile patients with polycystic ovarian disease

To assess the endocrinologic and clinical outcome after laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery because of polycystic reaction to ovarian stimulation in anovulatory infertility patients.

Between 1986 and 1989, 133 patients with polycystic ovarian disease underwent laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface in an outpatient clinic after conventional ovarian stimulation had led to polycystic reaction.

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

The reduction of androgen levels and normalization of cycle length were highly significant. The overall pregnancy rate was 70% (73 of 104), ranging from 27% in smokers to 94% in nonsmoking couples. In 26 second-look operations de novo adhesions were found in 26.9% of the patients.

Laparoscopic coagulation of the ovarian surface is an effective tool to reduce elevated androgen levels and to improve the intraovarian mechanism of selecting a dominant follicle. A postoperative complication may be adhesion formation.