Effectiveness of ovarian suspension in preventing post-operative ovarian adhesions in women with pelvic endometriosis: a randomised controlled trial

Hyaluronic acid gel application versus ovarian suspension for prevention of ovarian adhesions during laparoscopic surgery on endometrioma: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Background

This study aimed to compare the effect of ovarian suspension and hyaluronic acid gel to prevent re-adhesions after laparoscopic endometrioma surgery.

Methods

This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Rasoul-e-Akram and Pars Hospitals, Tehran, Iran, 2016-18. Fifty patients with bilateral endometrioma and pelvic adhesions, the candidates of laparoscopic surgery, were included. In each patient, at the end of ovarian cystectomy and adhesiolysis, one of the ovaries was randomly sutured to the abdominal wall, and the HYAcorp Endogel covered the other; the adhesion rate was compared between the groups by ultrasonography, three-month after surgery.

Results

Mean age of patients was 32.6 years. Presurgical variables were similar between right and left ovaries and the study groups (P > 0.05). Postsurgical ultrasonography showed that ovarian soft markers, including < 1/3 ovarian adhesions (minimal adhesions) in 80.5% of ovaries of the Endogel group and 35.5% of the ovarian suspension group (P < 0.001) with higher ovarian mobility in the Endogel group (65% vs. 22%) (P = 0.001). In addition, site-specific tenderness and ovarian fading margin were lower in the Endogel group (P < 0.001).

Trial registration Clinical trial registry number: IRCT2015081723666N1, 12.19.2015, Date of registration: 01/02/2016; https://en.irct.ir/trial/20174?revision=20174. Date and number of IRB: 2015, I.R.IUMS.REC.1394.24703.

Conclusion

Hyaluronic acid gel can be more effective than ovarian suspension in preventing ovarian adhesions after laparoscopic treatment of endometriosis.

Ovariopexy-Before and after Endometriosis Surgery

Endometriosis surgery is often very challenging. Key to complete resection of endometriosis is access to the retroperitoneum. Endometriosis can involve the ureter and uterine vessels, and ovary on the lateral pelvic wall makes retroperitoneal access difficult. Primary and post-surgical adhesions prevalence in endometriosis is very high. Ovariopexy, transposition of ovaries temporarily, is done for better surgical access and to reduce postoperative adhesions. We concluded that although limited evidence, ovariopexy is an excellent tool to aid endometriosis surgery and prevent postoperative adhesions. It is cost effective, simple and complication rate almost nil. More robust trials are required to substantiate evidence for its impact on preventing postoperative adhesions and its effect on fertility. In this review, we describe our technique of ovariopexy supplemented with a video, with the aim to put light on this useful and important technique, which is beneficial both for surgeons and patients.

Role of Ovarian Suspension in Preventing Postsurgical Ovarian Adhesions in Patients with Stage III-IV Pelvic Endometriosis: A Systematic Review

Endometriosis is a benign complex gynecologic condition with high morbidity that affects women of reproductive age. Pelvic adhesion formation represents a serious clinical challenge in the management of patients with endometriosis. Several interventions aimed at reducing postoperative ovarian adhesion formation have been proposed in recent years. Here we summarize the published evidence on the efficacy of ovarian suspension in preventing postoperative ovarian adhesion formation in women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for stage III-IV endometriosis. The research was conducted using electronic databases. A review of the abstracts of all references retrieved from the search was conducted. Selection criteria for the systematic review included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies (NRSs) of premenopausal women diagnosed with stage III-IV pelvic endometriosis who underwent ovarian suspension or no ovarian suspension (control group). The RCTs were eligible for meta-analysis. Eight studies, 2 RCTs and 6 NRSs, were included in the systematic review. In all 8 studies, ovarian suspension was performed during surgery for stage III-IV endometriosis. The site of the suspension was the anterior abdominal wall in 76.8% of the cases. Five studies reported the use of polypropylene as suture for the suspension. Removal of the suspension suture in the postoperative period was reported in 6 studies. Pooled data from a meta-analysis of the RCTs show that women who underwent ovarian suspension had a significantly lower incidence of postoperative adhesion formation, particularly of moderate to severe adhesions. Ovarian suspension may reduce the rate and severity of postoperative adhesions formation in women undergoing laparoscopy for the treatment of stage III-IV endometriosis; however, RCTs with larger sample sizes are needed.