Influence of ovarian cystectomy on the ovulatory function of the residual ovary

Abstract

Background: Whether the surgery for benign ovarian disease affect ovulatory function on residual ovarian tissue has not yet been established. Methods: We investigated the post-operative function of residual ovaries in 62 patients who underwent laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy or abdominal ovarian cystectomy. Results: The results based on an average of 7.9 monitored ovulatory cycles after surgery showed that 53% of patients did not have natural ovulation from the diseased ovary. The number of developing follicles after ovulation–induction treatments was significantly less in the diseased ovary than in the healthy ovary. However, in 13 of 24 women who became pregnant after surgery, ovulation occurred in the diseased ovary. Although a reduction in maturation of follicles was suggested after cystectomy, some women became pregnant after ovulation from the diseased ovary. Conclusion: Our results suggest that careful attention should be given to preventing post-operative adhesion in the diseased and surgically managed ovary in cases that undergo cystectomy.