Endometrioma Excision and Ovarian Reserve: A Dangerous Relation

Minimally invasive gynecologic procedures

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To evaluate different surgical options for the treatment of endometriomas. A heated debate is currently under way between advocates of excisional surgery and the ablative approach. With papers increasingly focusing on ovarian reserve after endometrioma surgery, a review was mandatory.

RECENT FINDINGS

Excisional and ablative surgery are well known procedures. This paper describes a combined technique that allows preservation of ovarian volume and antral follicle count. The question of postoperative ovarian reserve is widely discussed and the risk of malignancy is addressed.

SUMMARY

Some previously published reviews have probably too hastily concluded that excision is a better option than ablation. They failed to analyze the ovarian reserve, which is often significantly decreased after excisional surgery.This manuscript clearly explains the crucial importance of preserving the ovarian blood supply, as well as the ovarian cortex containing all primordial follicles, during surgery.

Follicle loss after laparoscopic treatment of ovarian endometriotic cysts

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate follicle loss and its associated factors during laparoscopic cystectomy for ovarian endometrioma.

METHOD

Between October 2008 and December 2009, 140 patients with ovarian cysts undergoing laparoscopic cystectomy at Peking Union Medical Hospital were enrolled: 74 had ovarian endometrioma with no preoperative hormonal therapy (group A), 40 had ovarian endometrioma pretreated with GnRHa (group B), and 26 had non-endometriotic cysts (group C). Pre-, peri- , and postoperative clinical data were collected, and cyst specimens were evaluated histologically.

RESULTS

The number of capsules showing follicles and the mean number of follicles per capsule were lower in group C than in group A or B (P<0.05). Fewer type IIC than type IIB endometriomas showed follicles (P<0.05). The number of follicles per cyst was related negatively to disease duration but positively to pain severity. Women in group A with unilateral endometrioma had a lower mean dysmenorrhea score after the surgery (P<0.05), but no change in basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

CONCLUSION

The type of cyst, disease duration, and severity of dysmenorrhea were associated with ovarian follicle loss during laparoscopic excision of endometrioma. Laparoscopic unilateral cystectomy for endometrioma was effective in relieving pain but had little effect on serum FSH, which might reflect the remaining ovarian reserve.

Ovarian surgery for bilateral endometriomas influences age at menopause

BACKGROUND

Questions remain as to whether surgical excision of ovarian endometriomas might cause damage to ovarian function. To test the hypothesis that ovarian surgery for endometrioma compromises ovarian function and accelerates ovarian failure.

METHODS

In a tertiary university Clinic, longitudinal prospective cohort study. Patients who underwent laparoscopy for endometriosis between March 1993 and November 2007 were assessed for inclusion in the study. A prospective follow-up at 3, 6 and 12 months then yearly was conducted. Evolution of menstrual pattern, symptoms and reproductive outcomes were investigated.

RESULTS

From over the 14-year period, 302 patients were included in the study. The mean age (±SD) of patients was 32.6 ± 5.6 years; the median duration of follow-up was 8.5 years (range 2-17 years). Menopause was documented in 43 women (14.3%) at a mean age of 45.3 ± 4.3 years (range 32-52 years). Women previously submitted to bilateral cystectomy were younger at menopause than those with monolateral endometrioma (42.1 ± 5.1 years versus 47.1 ± 3.5 years, P = 0.003). Premature ovarian failure (POF) was observed in 7 of 43 (16.3%) menopausal patients; the majority (4, 57.1%) after bilateral cystectomy. The relationship between the preoperative ovarian endometriomas total diameter and menopausal age was significant in case of surgery for bilateral endometriomas (R(2) = 0.754, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who had been operated on for bilateral endometriomas have an increased risk of POF. Ovarian parenchyma loss at the time of surgery seems related to cyst diameter. In the case of unilateral ovarian endometrioma, the contralateral intact ovary might adequately compensate.

Nonmalignant diseases and treatments associated with primary ovarian failure: an expanded role for fertility preservation

Cancer treatments can be detrimental to fertility; recent literature has focused on the efforts of fertility preservation for this patient population. It should be recognized, however, that several nonmalignant medical conditions and therapeutic interventions could be similarly hazardous to fertility. Some of these nonmalignant diseases and their treatments that can adversely impact the reproductive axis are gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatologic disorders, nonmalignant hematologic conditions, neurologic disorders, renal disorders, gynecologic conditions, and metabolic diseases. Their negative effects on reproductive function are only now being appreciated and include impaired ovarian function, endocrine function, or sexual function and inability to carry a pregnancy to term. Complications and comorbidities associated with certain diseases may limit the success of established fertility preservation options. Recent advances in fertility preservation techniques may provide these patients with new options for childbearing. Here, we review several fertility-threatening conditions and treatments, describe current established and experimental fertility preservation options, and present three initiatives that may help minimize the adverse reproductive effects of these medical conditions and treatments by raising awareness of the issues and options: (1) increase awareness among practitioners about the reproductive consequences of specific diseases and treatments, (2) facilitate referral of patients to fertility-sparing or restorative programs, and (3) provide patient education about the risk of infertility at the time of diagnosis before initiation of treatment.

Ultrasound ovarian assessments after endometrioma ablation using plasma energy

We performed a retrospective three-dimensional ultrasound evaluation of the ovarian features in ten women with no previous ovarian surgery who benefited from ablation by plasma energy for unilateral endometriomas greater than to 30 mm in diameter. Values of ovarian volume and antral follicle count in operated ovaries were decreased by an average 12% and 18%, respectively, suggesting that endometrioma ablation using plasma energy spares the underlying ovarian parenchyma.

Vaporization of ovarian endometrioma using plasma energy: histologic findings of a pilot study

In ten ovarian endometriomas of diameter exceeding 30 mm, managed by complete vaporization of the inner surface using plasma energy followed by cystectomy, we performed histologic evaluation of the depth of necrosis and the effectiveness of endometrial tissue ablation. We observed that plasma energy allows the ablation of endometrial tissue with minimal damage to the ovarian parenchyma, which suggests that this technique might be of particular interest for women with risk factors of postoperative ovarian reserve impairment, such as recurrent and bilateral endometriomas.

Endometriosis and infertility: pathophysiology and management

Endometriosis and infertility are associated clinically. Medical and surgical treatments for endometriosis have different effects on a woman's chances of conception, either spontaneously or via assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Medical treatments for endometriosis are contraceptive. Data, mostly uncontrolled, indicate that surgery at any stage of endometriosis enhances the chances of natural conception. Criteria for non-removal of endometriomas are: bilateral cysts, history of past surgery, and altered ovarian reserve. Fears that surgery can alter ovarian function that is already compromised sparked a rule of no surgery before ART. Exceptions to this guidance are pain, hydrosalpinges, and very large endometriomas. Medical treatment-eg, 3-6 months of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues-improves the outcome of ART. When age, ovarian reserve, and male and tubal status permit, surgery should be considered immediately so that time is dedicated to attempts to conceive naturally. In other cases, the preference is for administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues before ART, and no surgery beforehand. The strategy of early surgery, however, seems counterintuitive because of beliefs that milder non-surgical options should be offered first and surgery last (only if initial treatment attempts fail). Weighing up the relative advantages of surgery, medical treatment and ART are the foundations for a global approach to infertility associated with endometriosis.