Chance of adhesion formation after laparoscopic salpingo-ovariolysis: is there a place for second-look laparoscopy?

Age-related fertility decline: is there a role for elective ovarian tissue cryopreservation?

Age-related fertility decline (ARFD) is a prevalent concern amongst western cultures due to the increasing age of first-time motherhood. Elective oocyte and embryo cryopreservation remain the most established methods of fertility preservation, providing women the opportunity of reproductive autonomy to preserve their fertility and extend their childbearing years to prevent involuntary childlessness. Whilst ovarian cortex cryopreservation has been used to preserve reproductive potential in women for medical reasons, such as in pre- or peripubertal girls undergoing gonadotoxic chemotherapy, it has not yet been considered in the context of ARFD. As artificial reproductive technology (ART) and surgical methods of fertility preservation continue to evolve, it is a judicious time to review current evidence and consider alternative options for women wishing to delay their fertility. This article critically appraises elective oocyte cryopreservation as an option for women who use it to mitigate the risk of ARFD and introduces the prospect of elective ovarian cortex cryopreservation as an alternative.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Hyalobarrier® Versus No Hyalobarrier® on the Ovulatory Status of Women with Periovarian Adhesions: A Pilot Study

Introduction

Periadnexal adhesions are known to contribute to subfertility. The restoration of the tubo-ovarian anatomy is one the key principles in reproductive surgery, and this involves adhesiolysis. However, adhesion formation/reformation is very common after periovarian adhesiolysis. It is not known if the application of Hyalobarrier^®, an anti-adhesion gel, around the adnexal region postsurgery influences ovulatory status. The study is a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) randomizing women into the application of Hyalobarrier^® versus no Hyalobarrier^® at the time of laparoscopy, where postsurgical ovulatory status and pregnancy rates were evaluated.

Methods

This was a pilot RCT where women were recruited from the gynecological and subfertility clinic who were deemed to require an operative laparoscopy. If intraoperatively they were found to have periovarian adhesions, they were randomized into having adhesiolysis with and without usage of Hyalobarrier^®. Demographic details and intraoperative details including the severity, extent, and the ease of use of Hyalobarrier^® were recorded. Prior to the surgery and postoperatively, the participants had their serum hormonal status (day 2 FSH, LH and day 21 progesterone) evaluated. Postoperatively, they underwent a follicular tracking cycle at 3 months.

Results

Fifteen women were randomized into use of Hyalobarrier^® (study group) and 15 into the no Hyalobarrier^® group (control group) between December 2011 and January 2014. There was no difference in the patient characteristics in terms of age, BMI, the number of previous pregnancies, or the extent, site, and severity of adhesions between the two groups. There was no significant difference between the study versus control groups in terms of the hormonal profile (day 2 FSH and day 21 progesterone) before or after surgery. The 3-month postoperative day 10–12 follicular tracking findings and endometrial thickness were similar between the study and control groups. Four women were pregnant in the study group (24%) and one in the control group (7%) cumulatively over 2 years.

Conclusion

The use of Hyalobarrier^® post salpingo-ovariolysis did not influence follicular development as inferred from the results of the day 21 progesterone and folliculogram on day 10–12 3-month postsurgery.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN number, ISRCTN1833588.

Funding

Nordic Pharma.

A new tubal classification system for fertility prognosis after laparoscopic salpingostomy for tubal pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the objectivity and accuracy of a new system that predicts the pregnancy outcomes in patients with tubal pregnancy after laparoscopic salpingostomy.

STUDY DESIGN

480 tubal pregnancy patients were retrospectively stratified as mild, moderate, or severe group according to the new tubal classification system in which pelvic adhesions, tubal morphology, structure, and patency were included. The follow-up was performed for 24 months to determine spontaneous pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

The tubal classification was significantly associated with intrauterine pregnancy rates (mild 70.9% vs. moderate 66.0% vs. severe 41.8%, P=0.001) and recurrent ectopic pregnancy rates (mild 2.8% vs. moderate 4.2% vs. severe 10.9%, P=0.047). The 24-month cumulative rate of intrauterine pregnancy was 73.5% in the mild group, 68.5% in the moderate group, and 45.8% in the severe group (P=0.002). The 24-month cumulative repeat ectopic pregnancy rate was 6.6% in the mild group, 9.1% in the moderate group, and 15% in the severe group (P=0.154). In Cox multivariate regression analysis, a lack of a history of infertility [hazard ratio (HR)=0.633, P=0.001] and tubal scoring (mild HR=2.408, P=0.008; moderate HR=2.147, P=0.010) were significantly associated with a higher rate of spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy. Having a history of infertility (HR=0.351, P=0.037) and no prior abdominopelvic surgery (HR=2.907, P=0.014) were significantly associated with a lower ectopic pregnancy rate.

CONCLUSION

The new tubal classification system significantly correlated with spontaneous pregnancy outcomes in patients with tubal pregnancy following laparoscopic salpingostomy.

Postoperative procedures for improving fertility following pelvic reproductive surgery

BACKGROUND

Hydrotubation with oil-soluble contrast media for unexplained infertility and adhesiolysis for infertility due to peritubal adhesions are primary procedures that are of recognised benefit. It is less clear whether postoperative procedures such as hydrotubation or second-look laparoscopy with adhesiolysis are beneficial following pelvic reproductive surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the value of postoperative hydrotubation and second-look laparoscopy with adhesiolysis following female pelvic reproductive surgery.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Specialised Register (August 2008), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 2), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2008), EMBASE (1980 to August 2008), PsycINFO (1967 to August 2008), Current Contents (1993 to August 2008), Biological Abstracts (1969 to August 2008), CINAHL (1982 to August 2008) and reference lists of identified articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials in which a postoperative procedure was compared with a control group following pelvic reproductive surgery were considered for inclusion in the review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Five randomised controlled trials were identified and included in this updated review. An attempt was made to obtain further information from the authors of all five trials. All trials were assessed for quality. The studied outcomes were pregnancy, live birth, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage rates, and the rates of tubal patency and procedure-related complications. Review authors extracted the data independently and the odds ratios (OR) were estimated for these dichotomous outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

Five randomised controlled trials were identified and included in this review. The odds of pregnancy (OR 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 2.21) and live birth (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.59) were not significantly different with postoperative hydrotubation versus no hydrotubation. The odds of pregnancy (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.44 to 2.07) or live birth (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.19 to 2.32) were also not significantly different with second-look laparoscopy and adhesiolysis versus no second-look laparoscopy. Whether hydrotubation was early or late and whether hydrotubation fluid contained steroid or not had no significant impact on the odds of pregnancy or live birth. Late antibiotic hydrotubation increased the odds of at least one patent fallopian tube when compared with early hydrotubation in women (OR 7.72, 95% CI 2.50 to 8.93). The odds of infective morbidity significantly increased with early hydrotubation when compared with late non-antibiotic hydrotubation (OR 4.72, 95% CI 2.50 to 8.93). When comparing late hydrotubation following tubal stent removal with early hydrotubation in women who had no tubal stenting, there was no significant difference in pregnancy or live birth rates.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to support the routine practice of hydrotubation or second-look laparoscopy following female pelvic reproductive surgery. The studies on which this conclusion is based were either of poor quality or underpowered. These interventions should be performed in the context of a good quality, adequately powered randomised controlled trial. Postoperative hydrotubation with fluid containing antibiotic may offer benefit over hydrotubation fluid without antibiotic following tubal surgery. A randomised controlled trial of postoperative hydrotubation with antibiotic-containing fluid versus no hydrotubation for improving fertility following tubal surgery is justified.

Is laparoscopy necessary before assisted reproductive technology?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Laparoscopy is widely used during infertility work-up, although it is sometimes unnecessary. This review highlights when laparoscopic intervention should be used in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology cycles.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is no evidence for an increase in pregnancy rates in assisted reproductive technology cycles following surgical treatment of pelvic adhesions or endometriosis with laparoscopy. If the patient has bilateral visible hydrosalpinges, laparoscopy may be an option for evaluation of the tubes and treatment with salpingectomy in order to enhance the chance of pregnancy before commencing an assisted reproductive technology cycle. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling before assisted reproductive technology may be considered a therapeutic option in polycystic ovary disease patients who previously had severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Finally, laparoscopy may be useful in replacing the transposed ovaries to their original sites in the pelvic cavity in previously treated cancer patients so that monitoring of the controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and the oocyte aspiration would be much easier during the assisted reproductive technology cycles.

SUMMARY

Laparoscopy should be considered before assisted reproductive technology cycles if the procedure diagnoses and treats a pelvic pathology at the same time and if laparoscopic intervention increases the chance of pregnancy following these cycles.

Postoperative procedures for improving fertility following pelvic reproductive surgery

BACKGROUND

Hydrotubation with oil-soluble contrast media for unexplained infertility and adhesiolysis for infertility due to peritubal adhesions are primary procedures of recognised benefit. It is less clear whether postoperative procedures such as hydrotubation or second-look laparoscopy with adhesiolysis are beneficial following pelvic reproductive surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the value of postoperative hydrotubation and second-look laparoscopy with adhesiolysis following female pelvic reproductive surgery.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The search strategy of the Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group was used for the identification of all relevant randomised controlled trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All trials where a postoperative procedure following pelvic reproductive surgery was compared with a control group generated by randomisation were considered for inclusion in the review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Five randomised controlled trials were identified and included in this review, after an attempt to obtain further information from authors of all five trials. All trials were assessed for quality criteria. The studied outcomes were pregnancy, live birth, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage rates and the rates of tubal patency and procedure-related complications. Reviewers extracted the data independently and odds ratios for these dichotomous outcomes were estimated from the data.

MAIN RESULTS

The odds of pregnancy, live birth, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage were not significantly different with postoperative hydrotubation versus no hydrotubation nor with second-look laparoscopy and adhesiolysis versus no second-look laparoscopy. Whether hydrotubation was early or late and whether hydrotubation fluid contained steroid or not had no significant impact on the odds of pregnancy, live birth, ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. The odds of pregnancy and live birth were significantly increased and infective complications significantly decreased by hydrotubation with fluid containing antibiotic versus hydrotubation with fluid containing no antibiotic, in late hydrotubation following tubal stent removal six weeks after tubal surgery. The odds of at least one patent fallopian tube were significantly increased with late hydrotubation following tubal stent removal versus early hydrotubation in women who had no tubal stenting, but this intervention had no significant impact on the odds of pregnancy, live birth, ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

There is insufficient evidence to support the routine practice of hydrotubation or second-look laparoscopy following female pelvic reproductive surgery. The studies on which this conclusion is based were either poor quality or underpowered. These interventions should be performed in the context of a good quality, adequately powered randomised controlled trial. Postoperative hydrotubation with fluid containing antibiotic following tubal surgery may offer benefit over hydrotubation fluid without antibiotic. A randomised controlled trial of postoperative hydrotubation with antibiotic-containing fluid versus no hydrotubation for improving fertility following tubal surgery is justified.