The outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer therapy in women with endometriosis failing to conceive after laparoscopic conservative surgery

Abstract

Study objective: To compare the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) after laparoscopic surgery in women with endometriosis with that of patients with tubal factor infertility.

Design: Retrospective survey of hospital and office charts using a computerized worksheet.

Setting: Lin-Kou medical center of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

Patients: Sixty-seven women with minimal to mild or moderate to severe endometriosis. Women with tubal factor infertility without other associated disorders (60 cycles) made up the control group.

Interventions: Seventy-five consecutive cycles of IVF-ET were performed in these patients who failed to conceive after laparoscopic conservative surgery.

Measurements and main results: The concentration of serum estradiol on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection, the day of hCG injection, clinical pregnancy rates per transfer, number of follicles larger than 14 mm, number of embryos transferred, and implantation rate were not significantly different between women with endometriosis and those with tubal factor infertility. The number of oocytes retrieved and number fertilized were decreased, and the basal level of follicle-stimulating hormone on cycle day 3 was higher in women with both degrees of endometriosis. Women in both endometriosis groups received more follicle-stimulating hormone and human menopausal gonadotropin than those with tubal factor infertility.

Conclusions: The outcome of IVF-ET in patients with endometriosis after laparoscopic surgery did not differ from that in the group with tubal factor infertility, but the former required more ampules of gonadotropin to achieve the same response. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery in women with endometriosis should be probably correlated with success of IVF-ET.