Reproductive Surgery · Ovarian Surgery
Wu CQ, Albert A, Alfaraj S, Taskin O, Alkusayer GM, Havelock J, Yong P, Allaire C, Bedaiwy MA
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Controversy exists regarding surgical management of endometriomas in infertile women before in vitro fertilization (IVF) because growing evidence indicates that surgery may impair the ovarian response. The objective of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare surgical and expectant management of endometriomas regarding IVF outcomes. Prospective and retrospective controlled studies were found via the Cochrane Library, Embase, and MEDLINE databases. Thirteen studies (1 randomized controlled trial and 12 observational studies, N = 2878) were pooled, and similar live birth rates were observed in the surgically and expectantly managed groups (odds ratio = 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-1.22; p = .98). The clinical pregnancy rates (odds ratio = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.66-1.05; p = .86), the number of mature oocytes retrieved, and the miscarriage rates were not statistically different between study groups. However, the total number of oocytes retrieved was lower in the surgery group (mean difference = -1.51; 95% CI, -2.60 to -0.43; p = .02). Findings suggest that surgical management of endometriomas before IVF therapy yields similar live birth rates as expectant management. However, future properly designed randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Rojas HE et al., 2026 · Journal of women's health (2002)
To characterize differences between individuals with and without mid-cycle pain in a registry cohort with endometriosis. Prospective analysis of data from the Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Interdisciplinary Cohort Data Registry (Clinicaltrials.gov #NCT02911090) at a tertiary referral center in Western Canada. Three hundred forty-five individuals aged 18-49 years who: (1) had at least one episode of menstrual bleeding in the last 3 months, (2) attended a baseline initial visit, and (3) subsequently had surgery with histological confirmation of endometriosis between January 2018 and December 2023. Exclusion criteria included (1) previous hysterectomy; (2) hormonal suppressive therapy use in the last 3 months; and (3) missing data on mid-cycle pain, history of hormonal therapy use, or menstrual cycle regularity. N/A. Mid-cycle pain in the last month versus No mid-cycle pain in the last month. Of the 345 participants, 67% (n = 232) reported mid-cycle pain in the last month. Mid-cycle pain in the last month was significantly associated with higher mean Central Sensitization Inventory score (48 ± 17 versus 36 ± 16, p < 0.001) and more months of prior hormonal suppressive therapy use (58 [14-120] versus 26 [0-109], p = 0.012). Abnormal anatomy at the time of surgery (e.g., endometrioma, ovarian adhesions) was not associated with mid-cycle pain in the last month. In this endometriosis cohort at a tertiary referral center, most participants reported mid-cycle pain in the last month, which was associated with central sensitization but was not clearly related to endometriosis anatomical distortion.
Balachandran S et al., 2026 · Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC
To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reproductive outcomes in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and the influence of material and social deprivation on these outcomes. This retrospective cohort study included RPL patients seen at a specialized clinic between March 1, 2018, and February 28, 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on care period: pre-pandemic (March 1, 2018-February 29, 2020) and pandemic (March 1, 2020-February 28, 2022). Cumulative probabilities of birth were estimated using the cumulative incidence function within a competing risk framework, treating pregnancy loss as a competing event. Fine and Gray regression models calculated sub-distribution hazard ratio (sHR) of birth. 544 patients were included in the study, with 255 in the pre-pandemic group and 289 in the pandemic group. Individuals in the pandemic group were less likely to achieve pregnancy than those in the pre-pandemic group (relative risk = 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39 - 0.66). Among those who conceived, the cumulative probability of live birth was 0.77 in both groups. Relative to individuals residing in high-social deprivation neighborhoods, those living in moderately deprived areas had higher sub-distribution hazards of live birth (adjusted sHR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.25 - 3.10; P = 0.003). Within specialized RPL care and a universal maternity care system, pregnancy rates were lower during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, among those who conceived, the probability of achieving a live birth remained similar between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.
Bouchard TP et al., 2026 · Reproductive biomedicine online · Free to read
Does formation of the corpus luteum help to identify the day of ovulation on ultrasound when follicular collapse is missed, and how reliable are sonographers versus a review panel in identifying the day of ovulation on ultrasound? Sonographers in a clinic in Canada performed serial endovaginal ultrasound scans (six to eight per cycle) to identify the day of ovulation in regularly cycling women (n = 40) who were followed for one to five cycles (n = 85). The day of ovulation was identified by: (i) identification of the dominant follicle; (ii) disappearance of the dominant follicle; and (iii) identification and dating of the corpus luteum. The main outcome measures were inter-rater reliability between two sonographers, and Bland-Altman agreement between the supervising sonographer and a panel that reviewed each scan to identify the day of ovulation. Of the 85 menstrual cycles reviewed, two cycles did not have sufficient data to date ovulation, one cycle showed an incidental dermoid cyst, and 11 cycles showed anovulatory patterns. This left a total of 71 cycles (84%) for which intra-rater reliability between two sonographers for identifying the day of ovulation was high (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99, P < 0.0001), and Bland-Altman agreement showed no significant difference in the estimated day of ovulation between the supervising sonographer and the panel (t = -0.28, P = 0.78). Corpus luteum criteria were necessary to help identify the day of ovulation in 14 of 71 cycles (20%). The estimated day of ovulation can be determined reliably on ultrasound by trained sonographers using collapse of the dominant follicle and formation of the corpus luteum based on six to eight scans per cycle.
Yong PJ et al., 2026 · Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC
To provide health care professionals with an evidence-based approach to the management of endometriosis and its associated symptoms. Women and gender-diverse individuals affected by endometriosis. BENEFITS, HARMS, Timely and effective management of endometriosis has the potential to reduce pain, improve fertility and quality of life, and enhance long-term health outcomes. Early intervention may also help mitigate the financial and health system burdens associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed, Ovid, Medline, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from August 2010 through December 2025, using relevant MeSH heading and keywords. Results were restricted to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials/controlled clinical trials, observational studies, and clinical practice guidelines. Results were limited to English or French language materials. Evidence was supplemented with references from the 2010 Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada guideline No. 244. The authors rated the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. See online Appendix A (Tables A1 for definitions and A2 for interpretations of strong and conditional recommendations). Health care providers involved in the care of individuals with endometriosis. Early identification and management of endometriosis can significantly improve patient outcomes, reduce long-term health care costs and improve their quality of life. RECOMMENDATIONS.
Barnhart K et al., 2002 · Fertil Steril
To investigate the IVF outcome for patients with endometriosis. Meta-analysis. Academic research center. PATIENT(S): A MEDLINE search and review of the literature were performed. Patients were classified by level of endometriosis, and controls were classified according to the indication for IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate overall effect and control for confounding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy rates, fertilization rate, implantation rates, and numbers of oocytes retrieved. RESULT(S): Twenty-two published studies were included in the overall analysis. The chance of achieving pregnancy was significantly lower for endometriosis patients (odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-0.70) when compared with tubal factor controls. Multivariate analysis also demonstrated a decrease in fertilization and implantation rates, and a significant decrease in the number of oocytes retrieved for endometriosis patients. Pregnancy rates for women with severe endometriosis were significantly lower than for women with mild disease (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-0.87). CONCLUSION(S): Patients with endometriosis-associated infertility undergoing IVF respond with significantly decreased levels of all markers of reproductive process, resulting in a pregnancy rate that is almost one half that of women with other indications for IVF. These data suggest that the effect of endometriosis is not exclusively on the receptivity of the endometrium but also on the development of the oocyte and embryo.
Smith ADAC et al., 2015 · JAMA · Free full text on PubMed Central
The likelihood of achieving a live birth with repeat in vitro fertilization (IVF) is unclear, yet treatment is commonly limited to 3 or 4 embryo transfers. To determine the live-birth rate per initiated ovarian stimulation IVF cycle and with repeated cycles. DESIGN, SETTING, Prospective study of 156,947 UK women who received 257,398 IVF ovarian stimulation cycles between 2003 and 2010 and were followed up until June 2012. In vitro fertilization, with a cycle defined as an episode of ovarian stimulation and all subsequent separate fresh and frozen embryo transfers. Live-birth rate per IVF cycle and the cumulative live-birth rates across all cycles in all women and by age and treatment type. Optimal, prognosis-adjusted, and conservative cumulative live-birth rates were estimated, reflecting 0%, 30%, and 100%, respectively, of women who discontinued due to poor prognosis and having a live-birth rate of 0 had they continued. Among the 156,947 women, the median age at start of treatment was 35 years (interquartile range, 32-38; range, 18-55), and the median duration of infertility for all 257,398 cycles was 4 years (interquartile range, 2-6; range, <1-29). In all women, the live-birth rate for the first cycle was 29.5% (95% CI, 29.3%-29.7%). This remained above 20% up to and including the fourth cycle. The cumulative prognosis-adjusted live-birth rate across all cycles continued to increase up to the ninth cycle, with 65.3% (95% CI, 64.8%-65.8%) of women achieving a live birth by the sixth cycle. In women younger than 40 years using their own oocytes, the live-birth rate for the first cycle was 32.3% (95% CI, 32.0%-32.5%) and remained above 20% up to and including the fourth cycle. Six cycles achieved a cumulative prognosis-adjusted live-birth rate of 68.4% (95% CI, 67.8%-68.9%). For women aged 40 to 42 years, the live-birth rate for the first cycle was 12.3% (95% CI, 11.8%-12.8%), with 6 cycles achieving a cumulative prognosis-adjusted live-birth rate of 31.5% (95% CI, 29.7%-33.3%). For women older than 42 years, all rates within each cycle were less than 4%. No age differential was observed among women using donor oocytes. Rates were lower for women with untreated male partner-related infertility compared with those with any other cause, but treatment with either intracytoplasmic sperm injection or sperm donation removed this difference. Among women in the United Kingdom undergoing IVF, the cumulative prognosis-adjusted live-birth rate after 6 cycles was 65.3%, with variations by age and treatment type. These findings support the efficacy of extending the number of IVF cycles beyond 3 or 4.
Schippert C et al., 2020 · BMC Women's Health · Free full text on PubMed Central
Background Endometriosis can be associated with considerable pain and sterility. After surgical excision of moderate or severe endometriosis lesions, the rate of recurrence reaches up to 67%. The objective of this retrospective study was to establish the recurrence and pregnancy rates following surgical resection of stage III/IV endometriosis lesions. Indications for operation were endometriosis symptoms, sonographic findings and/or infertility. Methods A total of 456 patients who underwent stage III/IV endometriosis surgery between 2004 and 2014 were sent a questionnaire relating to their postoperative medical treatment, pregnancies, relief of symptoms and recurrence. Responses of 206 patients (45.2%) and their clinical data were analysed for this study. Results A total of 66.5% ( N = 137) of patients had stage III disease, and 33.5% ( N = 69) had stage IV disease. The average age was 37 years (17–59). A total of 63.1% ( N = 130) of surgeries were performed by laparoscopy, 21.8% ( N = 45) were performed by laparotomy and 15% ( N = 31) were performed by conversion. Complete resection of endometriosis lesions was achieved in 90.8% of patients ( N = 187). After surgery, 48.5% ( N = 100) of the women did not receive hormonal treatment; the main reason was the desire for children in 53%. Complete or partial relief in complaints was achieved in 93.2% ( N = 192). The rate of recurrence was 21.8% ( N = 45). The statistically significant factors that was associated with a higher risk to develop recurrence was an age < 35 ( p < 0.005). After surgery, 65.8% (79/120) of patients who wished to have children became pregnant. There was a statistically significant association among a higher postoperative pregnancy rate and age < 35 ( p < 0.003) in multivariate logistic regression analysis and laparoscopic surgical access in univariate logistic regression analysis ( p < 0.01). Conclusion We assessed the high percentage of complete or partial relief of symptoms of 93.2%, the high postoperative pregnancy rate of 65.8% and the low rate of recurrence of 21.8% compared to international literature to be very encouraging for women suffering from moderate and severe endometriosis. Though laparoscopy is considered the ‘gold standard’of endometriosis surgery, laparotomy still may be indicated in patients with extensive endometriosis especially to preserve reproductive function.
Metzger DA et al., 1986 · Fertil Steril
Endometriosis has been associated with an increased incidence of spontaneous abortion, compared with the abortion rate of the general population. To assess whether a separate control group would affect these conclusions, we studied 139 consecutive infertility patients with laparoscopically proven endometriosis to determine the incidence of spontaneous abortion. Ninety-five of these patients underwent conservative surgical resection of endometriosis, and 44 patients opted for expectant management. There was no significant difference between these two groups in average age, duration of infertility, or proportion of patients with primary infertility. The average spontaneous abortion rate before diagnosis for all patients was 63.1%. After surgical treatment, the abortion rate dropped to 0% (P less than 0.000001) for all stages of disease. However, even in those patients who received expectant management only, the abortion rate fell to 16.7% and 21.4% for mild and moderate endometriosis, respectively (P less than 0.001). These results suggest that the spontaneous abortion rate in untreated endometriosis may not be as high as previously reported and may not be significantly different from the rate in the general population. The data also emphasize the need for well-defined control groups when assessing the effects of a treatment regimen.
