Pregnancy rate following endometriomas management by ablation using plasma energy, cystectomy and drainage: A three-arm comparative study.

Abstract

To compare differences in the postoperative pregnancy rate in women seeking to conceive and presenting with endometriomas larger than 3cm in diameter, which were managed by ablation using plasma energy, cystectomy, or simple drainage. A retrospective three-arm comparative study based on prospective collection of data evaluating 363 patients, undergoing endometrioma cystectomy, ablation using plasma energy, or simple drainage. In this series, 204 (56.2%) patients underwent endometrioma ablation using plasma energy, 121 (33.3%) received cystectomy, and 38 (10.5%) had a simple drainage. Postoperative follow up was 50 ± 26 months. Overall postoperative pregnancy rate was 60.3%. The probability of being pregnant after cystectomy, ablation, and drainage was respectively 27%, 32%, and 16% at 12 months, with a statistically significant difference between pregnancy rates among the three arms (P= 0.015). Simple drainage was associated with a probability of conception over 50% after 2 years, mainly based on postoperative assisted reproductive technology. We reveal good postoperative pregnancy rate after ablation using plasma energy or cystectomy for endometriomas. Surgical management should be carefully considered in women with endometriomas and pregnancy intention, because the postoperative pregnancy rate may be compared with that observed after first-line assisted reproductive technology management.