Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a retrospective study on the influence of the amount of energy used on the outcome

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is an uncertainty about the optimum number of punctures to be applied at laparoscopic ovarian diathermy (LOD). This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the dose-response relationship of LOD. METHODS: The hospital records of 161 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome who underwent LOD were reviewed and the clinical data before and after LOD were documented. Subjects were divided into six groups according to the number of punctures made in their ovaries as follows: group 1, two punctures per ovary; group 2, three punctures; group 3, four punctures; group 4, five punctures; group 5, six punctures and group 6, seven to 10 punctures. Contingency table analysis and analysis of variance were used to compare the outcomes of the different groups. RESULTS: The rates of ovulation, conception and restoration of menstrual regularity after LOD were significantly lower in group 1 compared with other groups. There were no significant differences in the success rates between the other groups. CONCLUSION: Two punctures per ovary are associated with poor results. Three punctures per ovary seem to represent the plateau dose. The application of seven or more punctures per ovary may result in excessive destruction to the ovary without any improvement of the results and should therefore be discouraged.