Endometriotic Cystectomy Research Articles

Is There an Association Between Endometriosis, Early Menopause, and Cardiovascular Disease?

Large-scale studies show endometriosis linked to earlier menopause onset. Recent research targeting women with laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis found an increase in cases of early natural menopause. Furthermore, recent large-scale cohort studies have found a correlation between endometriosis and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Understanding the causality of early menopause, particularly natural menopause, and cardiovascular risks in women with endometriosis could help medical professionals develop effective strategies for early prevention and new therapies. Endometriosis, early menopause, and cardiovascular risks may be linked by primary or secondary mechanisms. Primary mechanisms involve shared pathways that can lead to all morbidities, while secondary occur due to delayed consequences of management strategies. In these large-scale cohort studies, relevant risk and confounding factors, such as oophorectomy, were considered to refine estimates of associations. However, none of the studies considered endometriotic cystectomy, a globally accepted treatment for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain and infertility, as a mediating factor. There is substantial evidence to indicate that endometriotic cystectomy harms ovarian reserve and may lead to early menopause in cases of multiple surgeries or bilateral cases. Early menopause is a well-established risk factor for CVD. To thoroughly examine the link between endometriosis and early menopause, particularly natural menopause, and their connection with cardiovascular risks, it is imperative to consider all the possible factors that may affect the results, such as endometriotic cystectomy. This will enable us to obtain the most accurate and adjusted hazard ratio.

The impact of ovarian endometrioma and endometriotic cystectomy on anti-Müllerian hormone, and antral follicle count: a contemporary critical appraisal of systematic reviews.

Currently, three crucial questions regarding the reliability of ovarian reserve measures in women with ovarian endometrioma during the reproductive age are being discussed. Firstly, the effects of endometriotic cystectomy on short and long-term ovarian reserve. Secondly, the accuracy of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC) in estimating ovarian reserve in these cases. Thirdly, the impact of endometrioma itself on the ovarian reserve over time in such cases. The purpose of the present review is to critically assess available systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have explored these questions. Nine eligible reviews were found following a systematic search on PubMed.com and similarly assessed. These reviews varied considerably regarding the level of evidence, as per an identical comprehensive scoring system. Moderate to high-quality evidence demonstrates that endometriotic cystectomy, by the stripping technique, adversely affects ovarian reserve in the short and long term, up to 9-18 months post-surgery. Damage to ovarian reserve was considerable but more pronounced in bilateral cases than unilateral cases, equivalent to 39.5% and 57.0%, respectively. Repeat endometriotic cystectomy is detrimental to ovarian reserve. The impact of endometrioma diameter on ovarian reserve before or after surgery is still unclear. Moderate to high-quality evidence, relying on simultaneous assessment of both ovarian reserve measures, shows that AMH is sensitive while AFC is not in cases undergoing ovarian cystectomy. AMH should be the biomarker of choice for counseling and managing women with endometrioma in their reproductive age, especially before surgery. While there is some evidence to show that endometrioma per se may harm ovarian reserve, this evidence is not robust, and there is good-quality evidence to challenge this notion. It is necessary to conduct further targeted RCTs, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses based on solid methodological grounds to increase the level of evidence, refine quantitative estimates, investigate open questions, and decrease heterogeneity.

Effect of laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy on ovarian reserve and the outcomes of in vitro fertilization patients with benign ovarian cysts

Objective: To investigate the effect of laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy on anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level, ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation and pregnancy rate for in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients with benign ovarian cysts. Methods: Patients with benign ovarian cysts who were admitted for cystectomy and had undergone IVF treatment were enrolled in the study. There were 373 participants with ovarian cysts underwent laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy in the experimental group. According to duration of post-surgery, there were four sub-groups: 1 year post-surgery (1Y POST), 2 years post-surgery (2Y POST), 4 years post-surgery (4Y POST) and ≥5 years post-surgery (≥5Y POST) in the experimental group. According to histopathologic types of ovarian cysts, there were two sub-groups: ovarian endometriotic cysts and ovarian non-endometriotic cysts. Two hundreds and three patients with no history of ovarian cysts and ovarian surgery were in the control group. The level of AMH and basic concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2) were measured. Antral follicle counts (AFC) were calculated. There were other study variables: total dose of gonadotropins, duration of ovarian stimulation, the number of oocyte retrieved, the number of embryo obtained, blastocyst transfer rate and pregnancy rate. Results: The control group was matched as closely as possible to the experimental group, including age, body mass index and menstrual cycle (all P>0.05). Compared to the women in control group, the women in ovarian endometriotic cystectomy sub-group had significantly higher levels of basal FSH and basal P, lower level of AMH (all P<0.05); the women in ovarian endometriotic cysts sub-group had significantly higher dose of gonadotropins (all P<0.05); the women in ovarian endometriotic cysts ≥5Y POST sub-group had significantly lower number of oocyte retrieved, lower number of embryo obtained, lower blastocyst transfer rate, and lower pregnancy rate (all P<0.05). Compared to the women in control group, the women in ovarian non-endometriotic cysts sub-group had a significantly higher level of basal FSH and basal P (all P<0.05). The women in ovarian non-endometriotic cysts sub-group had lower level of AMH, higher dose of gonadotropins, lower number of oocyte retrieved, lower number of embryo obtained, lower rate of blastocyst transfer and lower rate of pregnancy than the control group but there were no statistically significant differences among them (all P>0.05). The women with unilateral ovarian endometriotic cysts had significantly lower number of oocyte retrieved on the side of surgery than another side (P<0.05). Conclusions: In short term laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy has no significant effect on ovarian reserve. But with long-term follow-up ovarian reserve, ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation and pregnancy rate are decreased. The effect of laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy in benign cysts on ovarian is associated with whether or not it is the surgical side.

Is ovarian reserve reduction following endometriotic cystectomy predicted? The implication for fertility preservation counseling.

Is ovarian reserve reduction following endometriotic cystectomy predicted? The implication for fertility preservation counseling.

Anti-Müllerian hormone levels following laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy with subcutaneous abdominal wall lifting for ovarian endometriomas

Purpose of investigation: To examine changes in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels following laparoscopic ovarian endometriotic cystectomy with abdominal wall lifting. Materials and methods: This prospective cohort study analyzed 32 patients with endometriomas who underwent laparoscopic surgery between October 2014 and December 2016 in private and university hospitals. We measured blood AMH levels at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months following a cystectomy. We also examined the correlations of AMH levels with age at time of surgery, bilateral cysts, cyst diameter, and Douglas fossa occlusion. Main outcome measures include the ovarian reserve based on AMH levels. Results: Compared to baseline (2.14 ± 1.66 ng/mL), AMH levels were significantly reduced at 1 (1.22 ± 1.08 ng/mL) and 3 (1.18 ± 1.02 ng/mL) months post-surgery. However, there were no significant differences between baseline and 6 (1.35 ± 1.02 ng/mL) or 9 (1.37 ± 0.95 ng/mL) months post-surgery. AMH levels were significantly reduced in patients aged ≥ 35 years (1.10 ± 0.98 versus 3.15 ± 1.85 ng/mL, P = 0.001), those with bilateral cysts (1.58 ± 0.98 versus 3.15 ± 1.85 ng/mL, P = 0.006), and those with pouch of Douglas occlusion (1.16 ± 0.90 versus 2.93 ± 1.60 ng/mL, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Abdominal wall lifting yielded the same AMH level changes as insufflation, suggesting that their effects on recurrence and preservation of the ovarian reserve following ovarian cystectomy are comparable. Abdominal wall lifting should be proactively considered when performing laparoscopic surgery for patients with endometriosis. If the ovarian reserve is preserved in the long term despite transient postoperative reduction in the ovarian reserve, physicians should consider surgery with consideration of postoperative artificial reproductive therapy for these patients who desire to have children.

Effect of Laparoscopic Suturing Versus Bipolar Coagulation on Ovarian Reserve in Patients Undergoing Endometriotic Ovarian Cystectomy.

Effect of Laparoscopic Suturing Versus Bipolar Coagulation on Ovarian Reserve in Patients Undergoing Endometriotic Ovarian Cystectomy.

Impact of unilateral versus bilateral ovarian endometriotic cystectomy on ovarian reserve: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ovarian endometrioma is a frequent manifestation of endometriosis in women of reproductive age. Several issues related to its space occupying effects, local reactions and surgical removal continue to be actively debated today. The impact of ovarian endometrioma per se on ovarian reserve is still controversial and the effect of ovarian surgery is still actively discussed. Furthermore, the optimal biomarker of ovarian reserve estimation in women with ovarian endometrioma is still under examination. Additionally, there is no consistent agreement on the effect of endometrioma bilaterality on ovarian reserve. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to study the impact of unilateral versus bilateral ovarian endometrioma on ovarian reserve biomarkers before and after endometrioma cystectomy. We performed an extensive electronic database search employing PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Library, to identify published research articles published between January 2000 and October 2018. Search terms included endometriotic cyst OR endometrioma OR endometriomata, cystectomy OR resection OR stripping OR removal OR excision and infertility OR subfertility. Only prospective controlled studies that compared the impact of unilateral versus bilateral ovarian endometriotic cystectomy on ovarian reserve tests in the same setting were included. Studies which included cases with PCOS, ovarian failure, early menopause, oral contraception treatment, or prior chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy or ovarian surgery, were excluded from evaluation. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for assessing the quality of studies found eligible for meta-analysis. We registered the systematic review on PROSPERO and its number is CRD42018117170. Twelve studies were eligible for meta-analysis including collectively 783 women: 489 and 294 in the unilateral and bilateral groups, respectively. The included studies had a low risk of bias. The pre-operative weighted mean difference (WMD) showed that serum AMH levels did not differ significantly between the groups. Conversely, AMH levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in bilateral groups than in unilateral groups at the early, intermediate and late post-operative periods, corresponding WMDs of 0.78 ng/ml (95% CI: 0.41-1.15), 0.59 ng/ml (95% CI: 0.14-1.04) and 1.08 ng/ml (95% CI: 0.63 to 1.52), respectively. Heterogeneity among eligible studies reporting on before the operation and at the early and intermediate post-operative periods was high. Pre-operative and post-operative AFC values were not significantly different between the groups. The heterogeneity among the studies reporting on AFC was high. Analysis of each of the unilateral and bilateral groups separately showed a significant and sustained serum AMH drop by 39.5% and 57.0%, respectively from baseline to after the operation. Our results challenge the concept that endometrioma per se adversely affects ovarian reserve, whereas endometrioma cystectomy, especially as bilateral operation, has a deleterious and sustained effect on ovarian reserve. AMH seems to be a more appropriate biomarker of ovarian reserve than AFC in cases with endometrioma. Since low AMH implies a shorter reproductive lifespan, excision of endometrioma should be cautiously considered, especially in bilateral cases.

Round Ligament Adenomyoma

A 45-year-old woman presented with a history of dull aching right lower quadrant pain on and off for 6 months. In 1996 she had undergone laparoscopic left ovarian endometriotic cystectomy after which she conceived. She then had 2 normal vaginal deliveries, but in 2005 during her second delivery she had a subtotal hysterectomy for severe postpartum hemorrhage. In 2013 she underwent a laparoscopic right adnexectomy with left salpingectomy for endometriosis.

Safety of Hemostatic Sutures for Hemostasis of the Ovarian Bed After Endometriotic Ovarian Cystectomy

The use of the hemostatic sutures minimizes the damage related to the use of cautery in the ovarian bed after cystectomy. The main concern for the wide use of this method is the concerns about the safety of the sutures as the hemostasis seems to be incomplete when compared to cauterization. To study the safety of hemostatic sutures for achieving hemostasis of the ovarian bed after ovarian cystectomy of endometrioma. Prospective cohort controlled study. Shatby maternity University hospital. Eighty-four women with endometrioma were included in the study. Patients were randomized to laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy with use of electrocautery (bipolar or unipolar) or use of sutures for control of bleeding from the ovarian bed. All cases underwent laparoscopy for removal of ovarian endometriomas by stripping. Hemostasis of the bleeding from the ovarian bed was controlled by either electrocautery (bipolar or monopolar) or hemostatic sutures. Effect of the use of both methods was studied including hemoglobin level, hematocrit level, duration of surgery, number of sutures needed, duration of hospital stay, need for blood transfusion and postoperative complications including ovarian hematomas. There was a routine use of intraperitoneal drain in all suture cases. It was found that using hemostatic suture was effective in controlling the bleeding from the ovarian bed. The hemoglobin and the hematocrit were comparable in both groups. Complications for both techniques were documented and treated. It could be concluded that hemostatic sutures are safe procedure and tolerable for the patient although more cases with complication in the suture group which was not statistically significant and there was longer hospital stay. This technique has the advantage of minimizing the damage of cystectomy to stripping only by avoiding cauterization of healthy ovarian tissues.

Evaluation of risk factors for the recurrence of ovarian endometriomas

ObjectivesTo evaluate the risk factors for the recurrence of ovarian endometrioma after laparoscopic cystectomy. Study designReproductive aged patients who underwent laparoscopic ovarian endometriotic cystectomy and with histopathologically confirmed diagnosis of ovarian endometrioma were evaluated retrospectively. Histopathologic specimens were reevaluated and histopathologic characteristics of ovarian endometriotic cysts (thickness of cyst wall, thickness of fibrosis [ToF], thickness of ovarian tissue, the number of follicles per cyst, the depth of penetration [DoP] of endometrial tissue into the cyst wall) were determined. Along the determined histopathologic findings, demographic characteristics (age at surgery, number of pregnancies), clinical symptoms (dysmenorrhea, infertility), intraoperative findings (revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine [rASRM] stage), imaging features (bilaterality, cyst diameter), and biochemical parameters (Ca125, Ca19.9, Ca15.3) were evaluated as possible risk factors for the recurrence of endometrioma. The variables with p<0.2 in univariate analysis were introduced into regression analysis to determine the risk factors for recurrence. ResultsThere were statistically significant differences in age group (≤35 years and >35 years), the ToF and DoP between patients with recurrence and those with no recurrence. In Cox regression analysis, age ≤35 years and DoP were significant risk factors for presence of recurrence. DoP, ToF, preoperative cyst diameters in ultrasonographic examination were inversely correlated with recurrence interval. In multivariate regression analysis, the DoP was found the only significant risk factor for the recurrence interval. 1.2mm of DoP was found as the optimum cut off value for presence of recurrence according to Youden index criteria in ROC curve analyze. The sensitivity (62.9%), specificity (75%) were obtained at the cut off value of 1.2mm for DoP. ConclusionHistopathological features of ovarian endometriotic cyst may have important roles on predicting the recurrence of the endometrioma. Predicting the recurrence risk of particular patient is very important in future management of the disease. Knowing the recurrence risk of an endometrioma will help in deciding the optimal treatment modalities for each individual patient. High risk patients should be offered appropriate treatments according to the clinical status without delay and low risk patients should be protected from overtreatment.

Outcomes of treatment with cyclic administration of dienogest after ovarian endometriotic cystectomy

To evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with cyclic administration of dienogest after ovarian endometriotic cystectomy, following the completion of treatment. We retrospectively evaluated 26 patients treated with dienogest (2 mg/day) after cystectomy (revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine [r-ASRM] stage III–IV) in a pilot study. Dienogest was administered cyclically, for a total of six cycles, each comprising three weeks on and one week off. Outcomes of interest included severity of menstrual pain and recurrence of cysts at baseline, during the immediate post-treatment period and at the final outpatient follow-up. The mean outpatient follow-up period was 45.0 months. The visual analog scale score for menstrual pain following 6 cycles of dienogest treatment was significantly lower than that at baseline; it remained low at the final follow-up. The recurrence rates of cysts were 4% and 21% at 24 and 48 months after the completion of dienogest treatment, respectively. Six patients with recurrent disease were all classified as having r-ASRM stage IV. Our results suggest that cyclic dienogest for six months after cystectomy could relieve menstrual pain and reduce the recurrence of cysts, for approximately four years. The necessary treatment period for patients with r-ASRM stage IV disease requires further study.

Analysis of late-onset ovarian insufficiency after ovarian surgery: retrospective study with 75 patients of post-surgical ovarian insufficiency.

The primary objectives of the present study are to determine the period of onset of ovarian insufficiency after surgery and to confirm potential risk factors for ovarian insufficiency after surgery for the removal of benign ovarian cysts. Data were obtained from 75 patients who underwent surgery for benign ovarian cysts prior to the onset of ovarian insufficiency. Our analysis included 835 ovarian insufficiency patients who were referred to our institution from July 2003 to July 2013. Several epidemiological parameters of ovarian insufficiency after surgery (age at operation, period of onset of ovarian insufficiency, operation procedure, and pathological diagnosis) were investigated. Of the 835 patients who had ovarian insufficiency, 75 patients (9.0%) underwent ovarian surgery before the onset of ovarian insufficiency. Of those 75 patients, 66 patients (88.0%) underwent cystectomy. For the majority of the 75 patients the surgical indication was the presence of endometriotic cysts (57 patients; 76.0%). Twelve patients (16.0%) underwent multiple surgeries (all bilateral cystectomies). The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 27.8±5.5 years-old, and the mean period of onset of ovarian insufficiency was 5.8±3.8 years. In patients with cystectomy, the patient's age at the time of surgery and period of onset of ovarian insufficiency was well-correlated (coefficient of correlation; hemilateral endometriotic cystectomy: −0.64, bilateral endometriotic cystectomy: −0.61, and multiple endimetriotic cystectomy: −0.40). We found that cystectomy of endometriotic cysts is the potential risk factor for ovarian insufficiency after surgery, at times, the onset of ovarian insufficiency long after cystectomy. Therefore, it is important to monitor ovarian reserve for an extended period of time after ovarian surgery. It is particularly important to monitor ovarian reserve long-term for patients who wish to conceive in the future and to suggest a variety of infertility treatments appropriate for their ovarian reserve.

Compared with Cystectomy, Is Ovarian Vaporization of Endometriotic Cysts Truly More Effective in Maintaining Ovarian Reserve?

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate how endometriotic cystectomy and vaporization affect ovarian reserve after conservative surgery. DesignProspective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SettingHokusetsu General Hospital. PatientsNinety-nine women who underwent conservative surgery to treat endometriotic cysts from June 2011 to July 2013. InterventionsVaporization with bipolar current was performed in nulligravid women, and cystectomy in those who had a child. In women with endometriotic cysts, bilateral cystectomy was performed in 28, bilateral vaporization in 15, unilateral cystectomy in 40, and unilateral vaporization in 16. In all patients, preoperative and postoperative serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations at the early proliferative phase were assayed, and the change in concentrations was evaluated for each operation. Measurement and Main ResultsIn the bilateral cystectomy group, the mean (SD) postoperative FSH concentration (19.3 [21.8] IU/mL) was statistically higher than the preoperative concentration (9.0 [6.2] IU/mL) (p < .01). AMH significantly declined after all operations to treat endometriotic cysts, and the rate of decline in the AMH concentration was >50% compared with preoperative concentrations. ConclusionWhether endometriotic cysts are unilateral or bilateral, both cystectomy and vaporization using bipolar current can lower ovarian reserve. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more effective surgical procedures to prevent ovarian damage.

Influence of Endomeriotic Cyst Diameter and the Severity of Endometriosis on the Ovarian Parenchyma Excised During Laparoscopic Cystectomy

Endometrioma is a common form of endometriosis and it is represented by endometriotic deposits within the ovaries which accounts for upto 17-44% of cases. Laparoscopic stripping of ovarian endometriotic cysts is an accepted technique owing to low recurrence rates. Decrease in residual ovarian tissue volume was noted in many studies followed cystectomy. This study aims at estimating whether the size of endometriotic cyst is related to ovarian parenchyma excised along with cyst wall. Prospective study was done at University teaching hospital for one year. A total of 56 women underwent laparoscopic endometriotic cystectomy. Cystectomy was done by stripping method and endometriosis was staged according to revised American Society of Reproductive Medicine classification (rASRM). The endometrioma wall was evaluated histologically and were categorised into 2 groups based on semi- quantitative scale of 0-4. Group 1 and 2 showed grade 0, 1, 2 and 3, 4 in the cyst wall respectively. Mean age of patients was 31.4 years, duration of infertility was 4.1 years and cyst diameter measured 6.3 cm. 73.2% (n=41) were in Group 1 and 26.8% (n=15) were in Group 2 , mean cyst diameter was being 4.3 cm and 5.0 cm respectively. There was no significant statistical correlation between preoperative cyst diameter and ovarian parenchyma removed (p=0.15). 93.3% (n=14) of group 2, and only 65.8% (n=27 ) of group 1 were found to have moderate to severe endometriosis, indicating there is correlation between disease severity and loss of ovarian tissue (p= 0.04). Endometriotic cystectomy when performed with accurate surgical technique leads to no significant ovarian tissue removal. However, disease severity significantly determines the loss of normal ovarian parenchyma.

A Randomized Control Trial Comparing Direct Stripping and Bipolar Electrocoagulation for Laparoscopic Endometriotic Cystectomy-Surgical and Histopathological Aspects

The present study compared two different techniques of endometriotic cystectomy at the hilus : continuation of strip-ping and bipolar elctrocoagulation and cuttin . This was a randomized controlled study was done on 64 patients, who had laparoscopically confirmed endometriomas > 3 cm in diameter. Endometriotic cystectomy was initiated by excision of a circular rim of tissue at the original adhesion site followed by stripping and randomization was done at the ovarian hilum into 2 groups. In Group I surgery was completed by continuation of stripping and in group II surgery was completed by bipolar coagulation and cutting with scissors. Operative time and operative difficulty were evaluated at both steps by the same surgeon. Histopathology confirmation of the loss of normal ovarian tissue was recorded in the excised cyst and at the hilus separately. Data was analysed using Stata software, fisher’s exact test was employed to assess operative difficulty and Kruskal-Wallis test was used to evaluate ovarian tissue quality. The mean operating time was reported to be significantly lesser in the coagulation and cutting group. The operative difficulty was comparable in two groups. The number of primordial follicles sacrificed showed no significant difference in both groups. Complication rate in terms of hemorrhage was higher in the direct stripping group.