Laparoscopic surgery improves pregnancy outcomes in women with suspected endometriosis with or without pathological confirmation.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE INVESTIGATION To verify whether histologic confirmation of endometriosis impacts fertility outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women with unexplained infertility (UI) underwent laparoscopic excision or ablation with CO2 laser or electrocautery of all suspected endometriotic lesions, followed by clinical treatment between January 2007 and December 2013; pregnancy (> 12 weeks) within 12 months of monitored cycles was the main outcome measured. RESULTS: Women with histological confirmation (n = 74) did not differ from those not confirmed (n = 29) with age, body mass index, gravidity, parity, ovulation induction protocol, and past duration of infertility. Pregnancy outcome was similar in both groups (39/74 vs. 15/29-p = 0.9--Chi-square) and there was no statistical difference in time to conceive/deliver (p = 0.7) between groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference in fertility outcomes in women with UI, whether or not suspected endometriosis is confirmed pathologically.