Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy versus fenestration/coagulation or laser vaporization for the treatment of endometriomas: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Aim: To compare outcomes after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy versus fenestration/coagulation or laser ablation for the treatment of endometriomas.

Methods: Studies were identified by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases using the terms ovarian, endometrioma or endometriosis, cystectomy, fenestration, coagulation, laser, and ablation or vaporization. The outcomes of interest were recurrence of signs/symptoms and endometrioma, reoperation, pregnancy, and ovarian reserve.

Results: Seven studies were included. The risk of recurrence of signs/symptoms after surgery was significantly lower for laparoscopic cystectomy compared with fenestration/coagulation [risk ratio (RR): 0.29; 95% CI: 0.15-0.55; I² = 0%; p < 0.001], as was the risk of recurrence compared with fenestration/coagulation (RR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.26-0.97; I² = 0%; p = 0.04) and laser vaporization (RR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.12-0.88; I² = 0%; p = 0.03). The risk of pregnancy was significantly higher for cystectomy compared with fenestration/coagulation (RR: 2.64; 95% CI: 1.49-4.69; I² = 0%; p < 0.001), but not laser vaporization (RR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.30-2.80; p = 0.89). There were inadequate data for the meta-analysis of ovarian reserve.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that cystectomy provides better outcomes than fenestration/coagulation or laser ablation regarding recurrence of symptoms and endometrioma as well as pregnancy rate (fenestration/coagulation only). Further studies are needed to clarify the effect of these surgical approaches on ovarian reserve.