Reproductive outcome after letrozole versus laparoscopic ovarian drilling for clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of letrozole and laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) in patients with clomiphene-citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: In the present prospective randomized trial, 140 women with clomiphene-citrate-resistant PCOS were randomly allocated to receive 5mg letrozole from day 3 to day 7 of menses for 6 consecutive cycles, or to undergo LOD. When a leading follicle of at least 18 mm was present, ovulation was triggered with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The 6-month rates of ovulation, pregnancy, abortion, and live births were evaluated.

Results: The groups were similar with regard to baseline clinical characteristics and hormonal profiles. The ovulation rate was significantly higher in the letrozole group than in the LOD group (59.0% versus 47.5%). On the days of the hCG injection, women in the letrozole group had a significantly thicker endometrium than those in the LOD group (P<0.0001). Women receiving letrozole had a higher pregnancy rate (35.7% versus 28.6%) and a lower rate of spontaneous abortion (8.0% versus 20.0%, respectively), but these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Letrozole seems to be a suitable second-line ovulation-inducing alternative to LOD in women with PCOS who do not conceive with clomiphene citrate.