Open AccessOvarian electrocautery in the treatment of women with polycystii ovary syndrome (PCOS): Factors affecting the results
Author(s) -
Gjønnaess Halvard
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349409006253
Subject(s) - medicine , ovulation , polycystic ovary , infertility , pregnancy , pregnancy rate , gynecology , obstetrics , laparoscopy , ovulation induction , ovary , overweight , obesity , hormone , surgery , insulin resistance , biology , genetics
During ihe years 1979‐91 252 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have been treated with ovarian electrocautery through the laparoscope in Aker University Hospital. Ovulation was obtained in 92% of the total series, and pregnancy in 84% of the women with PCOS as the sole cause of their infertility. Additional treatment with clomiphene citrate to the non‐responders increased the pregnancy rate to 89% The response to ovarian electrocautery was inlluenced by body weight, with an ovulation rate of 96‐97% in the slim and moderately obese women decreasing to 70% in the really obese ones. When ovulation was established. the pregnancy rate per se was independent of body weight ‐ when ovulation was established. the pregnancy rates of slim and overweight women with PCOS being 92% and 95%, respectively. In the responders (who ovulated following ovarian electrocautery), the annual rate of cessation of ovulation was 3‐4% only. Even after a period of contraceptive use following the ovarian electrocautery, ovulation was resumed and pregnancy obtained within a few months. Therefore, ovarian electrocautery is proposed as the primary treatment in women with PCOS undergoing laparoscopy for any reason, infertility being a present, future oi hypothetical problem only. When, on the other hand, infertility is not an issue, PCOS per se constitutes no reason to perform laparoscopy.