LASER LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF OVARIAN ENDOMETRIOMAS

Study Objective. To assess the efficacy of laser laparoscopic photocoa gulation of endometriomas (2-18 cm) In patients with pain, infertility , or a combination of the two. Design. Retrospective review of all pat ients with endometriomas from June 1, 1983, to December 31, 1993. Sett ing. Department of gynecology and obstetrics at a district general hos pital and national training center in minimal access surgery. Patients . One hundred sixty-five women with large endometriomas present at the time of laser laparoscopy. Interventions. Carbon dioxide laser or pot assium-titanyl-phosphate laser laparoscopic surgery. Measurements and Main Results. Ninety (74%) of 122 patients reported improvement or res olution of pain; and 30 of 66 achieved a pregnancy, for a cumulative c onception rate of 45%. Conclusion. Laser laparoscopy is a practical, s afe, and effective technique for the management of large ovarian endom etriomas.