The surgical benefit of hysterolaparoscopy in endometriosis-related infertility: A single centre retrospective study with a minimum 2-year follow-up

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the fertility performance of women after combined hysterolaparoscopic surgical management of endometriosis. Design: This study is a hospital-based retrospective review. Materials and Methods: Data collected from the records of all patients presented with endometriosis-related infertility using a checklist designed for the purpose. Result: A total of 81.3% (370/455) of women who have had the desire to have children became pregnant during the study period after the surgery. Of those who became pregnant, all three-hundred-forty-seven patients were followed to the end of their pregnancies. A successful live birth occurred in 94.2% (327/347) of individuals, and pregnancy loss occurred in 5.8% (20/347). The mean patient age was 34.1 ± 4.1 years, and the average duration of infertility was 3.4 ± 3.3 years. Pregnancy occurred spontaneously in 39.5% (146/370) of patients, after artificial insemination (AIH) in 3.8% (14/370) of women, and after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in 56.8% (210/370) of cases. Patients aged ≤ 35 years had a higher chance of conception post-surgery—84% versus 77%, respectively (p = 0.039). Based on the modes of pregnancy, the timely introduction of an assisted reproductive technique (ART) demonstrated a significant effect on fertility performance postsurgery. Comparatively, this effect was 91.3% vs. 74.1% among the ≤35-and >35-year-old age groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in reproductive performance based on stages of endometriosis, nor in the other parameters evaluated. Conclusion: Our data are consistent with previous clinical studies regarding the management options of endometriosis-related infertility. Overall, the combined hysterolaparoscopy treatment is a very effective and reliable procedure, and is even more effective when combined with ART. It enhances women’s wellbeing and quality of life, and significantly improves reproductive performance.