Laparoscopy findings in infertile women

Abstract

The results of 308 laparoscopies performed in infertile women were evaluated retrospectively. In 185 patients (60%) the laparoscopy was the last step in otherwise negative infertility evaluations (unexplained infertility). In 123 patients (40%) history or preliminary studies gave indirect evidence of possible pelvic disease. In the group of unexplained infertility laparoscopic abnormalities could be found in 50%. In 25% a tuboperitoneal factor and in 20% an endometriosis were found. Primary and secondary infertility showed the same percentage of normal findings with a higher incidence of tuboperitoneal factors in secondary infertility. In the group with indirect evidence of possible pelvic disease the incidence of positive laparoscopic findings was as high as 77%. Previous adnexitis or clinical suspicion of endometriosis (40 patients), previous pelvic operation (60 patients) and pathologic hysterosalpingographic findings (33 patients) proved to be approximately of equal prognostic value.