Impact on ovarian reserve after minimally invasive single-port laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy in patients with benign ovarian cysts: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery vs. multiport laparoscopic surgery for benign ovarian cysts: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Transumbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (TU-LESS) has gained increasing attention due to the potential to maximize the benefits of laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to compare outcomes of TU-LESS and multiport laparoscopic surgery (MLS) for the treatment of benign ovarian cysts.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients with benign ovarian cysts that were admitted to the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University between September 2010 and September 2022. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) approach weighting were used to compare outcomes of TU-LESS and MLS for benign ovarian cysts. The primary outcome was the rate of cystic content spillage.

RESULTS

A total of 528 patients with benign ovarian cysts were included and 236 (44.6%) patients underwent TU-LESS. The risk of cystic content spillage [relative risk (RR) = 4.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.59-7.38), P < 0.001] and operation time (β = 4.94, 95% CI: 1.40-8.48, P = 0.017) during TU-LESS was significantly higher than that during MLS. While hospital stay (β=-0.10, 95% CI: -0.198 - -0.004, P = 0.043) during TU-LESS was significantly shorter. IPTW analyses yielded similar patterns of results. For ovarian cysts < 10 cm, the risk of cystic content spillage, operation time and EBL during TU-LESS was significantly higher than that during MLS (all P < 0.05). On the contrast, for ovarian cysts ≥ 10 cm, the risk of cystic content spillage, operation time and EBL during TU-LESS was significantly lower than that during MLS (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TU-LESS had a significantly higher risk of cystic content spillage, longer operation time than MLS. While for ovarian cysts ≥ 10 cm, TU-LESS had a lower risk of cystic content spillage, shorter operation time, and less EBL than MLS. More experienced surgeons are needed to perform TU-LESS in benign ovarian cysts.

Comparison of ovarian reserve after cystectomy of ovarian endometrioma by bipolar coagulation, suture method, or hemostatic sealants: An updated meta-analysis

AIM

The purpose of the study was to compare the ovarian reserve after cystectomy of ovarian endometrioma by bipolar coagulation, suture method, or hemostatic sealants (HSs).

METHODS

We performed a meta-analysis of studies in which post-cystectomy serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) values were compared between bipolar coagulation and suture method or between bipolar coagulation and HSs. Through a literature search, we retrieved 14 articles which met inclusion criteria and were eligible for final analysis. The articles included 10 randomized trials, 3 prospective studies, and 1 retrospective study (n = 1435). The primary outcome was post-cystectomy serum AMH values.

RESULTS

Both bipolar coagulation and suture methods showed significantly lower post-cystectomy AMH values at 3, 6, and 12 months. However, post-cystectomy serum AMH values at 12 months were significantly higher in the suture method group compared to the bipolar coagulation (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.83, -0.38, p = 0.003, I2 = 89, n = 3). The suture method also showed a lower decline rate at 3 months post-cystectomy compared to the bipolar coagulation group (WMD: -25.13%, 95% CI: -49.56 to -0.70, p = 0.04, I2 = 95%, n = 2). Overall, pregnancy rates were similar between the two groups. Between the bipolar coagulation and HSs group, serum AMH values at 3 months post-cystectomy were similar (WMD: -0.46, 95% CI: -1.04 to 0.13, p = 0.13, I2 = 0%, n = 3). However, the HSs group showed a less decline rate at 3 months post-cystectomy compared to the bipolar coagulation group (WMD: -17.02%, 95% CI: -22.81, -11.23, p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%, n = 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Both the suture method and HSs may have potential benefits in the preservation of ovarian reserve over the bipolar coagulation method when cystectomy for ovarian endometrioma is performed.

The impact of ovarian endometrioma and endometriotic cystectomy on anti-Müllerian hormone, and antral follicle count: a contemporary critical appraisal of systematic reviews

Currently, three crucial questions regarding the reliability of ovarian reserve measures in women with ovarian endometrioma during the reproductive age are being discussed. Firstly, the effects of endometriotic cystectomy on short and long-term ovarian reserve. Secondly, the accuracy of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) in estimating ovarian reserve in these cases. Thirdly, the impact of endometrioma itself on the ovarian reserve over time in such cases. The purpose of the present review is to critically assess available systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have explored these questions. Nine eligible reviews were found following a systematic search on PubMed.com and similarly assessed. These reviews varied considerably regarding the level of evidence, as per an identical comprehensive scoring system. Moderate to high-quality evidence demonstrates that endometriotic cystectomy, by the stripping technique, adversely affects ovarian reserve in the short and long term, up to 9-18 months post-surgery. Damage to ovarian reserve was considerable but more pronounced in bilateral cases than unilateral cases, equivalent to 39.5% and 57.0%, respectively. Repeat endometriotic cystectomy is detrimental to ovarian reserve. The impact of endometrioma diameter on ovarian reserve before or after surgery is still unclear. Moderate to high-quality evidence, relying on simultaneous assessment of both ovarian reserve measures, shows that AMH is sensitive while AFC is not in cases undergoing ovarian cystectomy. AMH should be the biomarker of choice for counseling and managing women with endometrioma in their reproductive age, especially before surgery. While there is some evidence to show that endometrioma per se may harm ovarian reserve, this evidence is not robust, and there is good-quality evidence to challenge this notion. It is necessary to conduct further targeted RCTs, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses based on solid methodological grounds to increase the level of evidence, refine quantitative estimates, investigate open questions, and decrease heterogeneity.

Laparoscopic surgeries for uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts reduce ovarian reserve via age- and surgical type-manner

Aim: Diminished ovarian reserve can be characterized by poor response to ovulation and low number of eggs. The risk factors include endometriosis, receiving cancer treatment, luteal phase deficiency and gynecologic surgery. Uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts are the most common benign gynecological diseases in women globally. This prospective study evaluated the influence of laparoscopic surgery treating benign gynecological diseases on ovarian reserve. Methods: A total of 121 patients with uterine fibroids or benign ovarian cysts who received laparoscopic surgeries (41 with hysterectomy, 36 with myomectomy, 18 with adnexectomy, and 26 with ovarian cystectomy) were included. The ovarian reserve status defined as serum anti-Mullerian hormone concentration was assessed at 1 month before and after surgery, respectively. Results: The anti-Mullerian hormone reduction level was 22.34% in cystectomy, 44.1% in adnexectomy, 24.92% in myomectomy, and 47.61% in hysterectomy (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that adnexectomy had significantly high risk of high serum anti-Mullerian hormone reduction level (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 14.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.56-86.93, p = 0.003). Conclusions: These 4 laparoscopic surgeries all reduced the AMH levels 1 month after the procedure. Further prospective studies with longer follow-up are necessary to know the real impact on the ovarian reserve. Adnexectomy was an independent factor of reduced ovarian reserve in 1 month after surgery.

The treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the recent evidence around the treatment of infertility in patients with endometriosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

The management of endometriosis associated infertility remains challenging. There have been an increasing number of prospective observational studies highlighting the role of surgery to enhance assisted conception amongst those with deep rectovaginal endometriosis. Further validation studies confirm the role of the endometriosis fertility index in prediction of reproductive outcomes after surgery, and confirm that it can be employed in counselling patients prior to surgery on their likelihood of spontaneous conception. Further randomized trials are required to establish the role of surgically treating superficial and deep endometriosis and both spontaneous and assisted conception outcomes.

SUMMARY

Endometriosis continues to present challenges in counselling patients with regards to their fertility prospects. This article reviews the recent research findings that may assist in the management of patients with endometriosis associated infertility.