Argon laser laparoscopy for treatment of pelvic endometriosis associated with infertility and pelvic pain

Argon laser laparoscopy was used for treatment of 46 patients with pelvic endometriosis. Infertility was the primary diagnosis in 31 patients, and pelvic pain was the primary diagnosis in 21 patients. A 600 mum laser fiber was used through the operative channel of the laparoscope, and the tip of the fiber was kept at a distance of 2-3 mm from the lesions. The power density used varied between 1604 and 1069 W/cm 2 at the tissue level. The pregnancy rate following treatment of the infertile group was 42%. Eighty-four percent of these pregnancies occurred within the first 8 months of treatment. In the group with pelvic pain, 8 patients experienced complete pain relief, and 13 patients experienced partial pain relief. Difficulties with the use of the fiber included breakage in 3 patients and melting of the fiber tip in 1 patient.