Efficacy of ablation and sclerotherapy for the management of ovarian endometrioma: A narrative review

Histological analysis of (antral) follicle density in ovarian cortex tissue attached to stripped endometriomas

PURPOSE

When resecting endometriomas with the stripping technique, in the majority of cases, a thin line of adjacent ovarian cortex is attached to the endometrioma. In this study, we performed histological analysis to determine (antral) follicle density in the ovarian cortex tissue attached to stripped endometriomas and assessed patient- and surgical characteristics that could affect this.

METHODS

Histological slides of previously removed endometriomas were assessed. Follicles in the attached ovarian tissue were classified according to maturation, and follicular density was determined. Immunofluorescent staining of antral follicles in a subset of endometriomas was also performed.

RESULTS

In 90 out of 96 included endometriomas (93.7%), ovarian tissue attached to the cyst wall was observed. One thousand nine hundred forty-four follicles at different maturation stages were identified (3 follicles/mm3). Follicle density was negatively associated with age (p < 0.001). Antral follicles (< 7-mm diameter) were present in the ovarian tissue attached to 35 endometriomas (36.5%) derived from younger patients compared to endometriomas where none were detected (30 versus 35 years, p = 0.003). Antral follicle density was 1 follicle/mm3. Based on immunofluorescence, healthy antral follicles were identified in two out of four examined endometriomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Ovarian tissue attached to stripped endometriomas holds potential as a non-invasive source for antral follicles. In theory, application of IVM could be an interesting alternative FP option in young patients with endometriomas who undergo cystectomy in order to transform the surgical collateral damage to a potential oocyte source. Our results encourage future research with fresh tissue to further assess the quality and potential of these follicles.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: B21.055 (METC LDD), date of registration 12-08-2021, retrospectively registered.

Impact of Ablation Versus Cystectomy for Endometrioma on Ovarian Reserve, Recurrence, and Pregnancy: An Updated Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to compare the impact of ablation and cystectomy for ovarian endometrioma on ovarian reserve, recurrence rates, and pregnancy rates. Databases were searched for studies reporting ovarian reserve (measurement of anti-müllerian hormone [AMH] only), recurrence rates, and/or pregnancy rates after cystectomy and ablation for ovarian endometrioma. Six randomized clinical trials and five prospective cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. All included studies had a low risk of bias. After ablation, weighted mean difference (WMD) between post- and pre-operative AMH values was - 0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.61 to -0.19, p = 0.0002, I2 = 0%). After cystectomy, the WMD of AMH was - 1.08 (95% CI: -1.34 to -0.82, p < 0.00001, I2 = 48%). The intergroup comparison revealed that pre-operative AMH values were similar between the two groups, but post-operative AMH was significantly higher in the ablation group (WMD: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.63, p = 0.003, I2 = 3%). Subgroup analysis showed that the favorable effects of ablation compared to cystectomy are evident after three months of operation, in a bilateral setting, or with the laser ablation method. Overall recurrence rate (risk ratio [RR]: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.08 to 2.12, p = 0.02, I2 = 0%) and one-year recurrence rate (RR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.30 to 4.31, p = 0.005, I2 = 0%) were significantly higher in the ablation group than in the cystectomy group. Pregnancy rates were similar between the two groups (odds ratio: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.52, p = 0.20, I2 = 72%). These results demonstrate that ablation could result in a smaller serum AMH decrement than cystectomy, but the recurrence rate could be higher after ablation.