腹腔镜下宫颈癌根治术治疗早期宫颈癌的Meta分析

目的:系统评价腹腔镜手术治疗早期宫颈癌(I~IIA)的疗效及安全性。方法:计算机全面检索Pub Med、EMbase、Cochrane Library、OVID、CBM、CNKI、Wanfang data、VIP,并辅以手工检索相关期刊,检索时间从建库至2013年10月,查找腹腔镜与开腹手术治疗早期宫颈癌疗效及安全性的随机对照试验(RCT)、前瞻性非随机对照试验及临床对照研究。按纳入和排除标准独立进行文献筛选、资料提取和质量评价后,采用Rev Man 5.2软件进行Meta分析。结果:最终共纳入2个RCT、5个前瞻性非随机对照试验、11个临床对照研究,共2130例患者。Meta分析结果显示,与开腹手术组比较,腹腔镜手术治疗早期宫颈癌可减少术中出血量[OR=-247.99,95%CI(-408.90,-87,07),P=0.003],减少术后并发症[OR=0.49,95%CI(0.28,0.86),P=0.01],缩短术后排气时间[OR=-17.41,95%CI(-32.79,-2.03),P=0.03]和术后住院日[OR=-2.82,95%CI(-3.68,-1.96),P0.000001];而两组的术中淋巴结清扫数[OR=0.44,95%CI(-3.66,4.53),P=0.83]、术后随访2~5年宫颈癌复发率、死亡率和无复发生存率[OR=0.96,95%CI(0.72,1.31),P=1.28]相似。结论:腹腔镜手术的近期疗效有显著优势,并在术后随访2~5年宫颈癌复发率、死亡率及无复发生存率等方面与开腹手术无明显差异。严格掌握腹腔镜宫颈癌根治术治疗早期宫颈癌适应证,腹腔镜手术是安全、可行的方法。     

腹腔镜手术联合药物治疗子宫内膜异位症临床效果的Meta分析

目的:评价腹腔镜手术联合药物治疗子宫内膜异位症(EMs)的临床效果。方法:检索中英文数据库,纳入腹腔镜保守手术后联合孕三烯酮、GnRH-a、米非司酮等药物进一步巩固治疗EMs患者的随机对照试验,按Cochrane系统评价方法纳入有效数据,采用Meta分析评价腹腔镜手术联合药物治疗EMs的临床效果。结果:共纳入13篇文献。Meta分析结果显示,腹腔镜术后联合孕三烯酮可明显提高术后EMs的缓解率、降低复发率,效果与米非司酮相当,但不如GnRH-a效果果佳;在妊娠率方面,各药物的效果无明显差别。结论:腹腔镜联合药物治疗能明显提高EMs患者术后的缓解率,降低复发率,以GnRH-a效果更佳。     

重度子宫内膜异位症术后使用GnRH-a与孕三烯酮的临床观察

目的:观察重度子宫内膜异位症术后使用孕三烯酮部份替代促性腺激素释放激素激动剂(GnRH-a)其复发和妊娠的临床效果。方法:将61例分期为Ⅲ期或Ⅳ期的子宫内膜异位症腹腔镜手术后的患者随机分为两组:GnRH-a组33例,术后每4周皮下注射GnRH-a 3.75 mg,共6个月;GnRH-a和孕三烯酮组28例,术后先用3个月的GnRH-a,然后口服孕三烯酮胶囊3个月,2.5mg/次,每周2次。比较两组的术后子宫内膜异位症复发率、妊娠率和副反应情况。结果:随访GnRH-a和孕三烯酮组术后2年的复发率和累积妊娠率与GnRH-a组相似,分别为24.2%和21.4%、57.9%和56.3%,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);GnRH-a组患者不规则子宫出血率少于GnRH-a和孕三烯酮组,分别为6.1%和28.6%,差异有统计学意义;两组肝酶升高、骨密度异常和低雌激素症状的差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:重度子宫内膜异位症患者腹腔镜保守术后注射GnRH-a3个月后口服孕三烯酮3个月的疗效与单用GnRH-a 6个月疗效相当,且副反应相似,但经济负担减轻,有利于基层推广使用。     

子宫内膜异位症不孕患者腹腔镜术后妊娠影响因素分析

目的:探讨子宫内膜异位症(EMs)不孕患者腹腔镜术后影响妊娠的因素。方法:回顾分析2006年1月至2011年6月在北京朝阳医院妇产科行腹腔镜手术且随访资料完整的230例EMs合并不孕患者的临床资料,采用logistic回归分析法分析妊娠的相关影响因素。结果:(1)腹腔镜术后妊娠率为58.3%(134/230),其中术后1年内妊娠者100例,占74.6%。使用孕三烯酮者87例,其中47例(54.0%)妊娠,1年内妊娠者36例;使用GnRH-a者143例,其中87例(60.8%)妊娠,1年内妊娠64例。(2)单因素分析显示,年龄、既往有妊娠史、术中行道格拉斯窝重建、术后GnRH-a治疗与术后妊娠率有关。Logistic多因素回归分析结果显示,年龄(OR=0.757,P=0.001)、既往有妊娠史(OR=0.975,P=0.042)、术中行道格拉斯窝重建(OR=0.553,P=0.035)、术后GnRH-a治疗(OR=0.544,P=0.029)为术后妊娠的保护性因素。结论:腹腔镜术中彻底切除病灶,术后给予积极药物治疗,可提高术后妊娠率。     

生长激素对体外受精-胚胎移植中子宫内膜发育不良患者有效性的Meta分析

目的:系统评价生长激素(GH)用于体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)中子宫内膜发育不良患者的有效性。方法:计算机检索PubMed、Embase、the Cochrane Central Register of controlled Trials、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国期刊全文数据库、维普、万方数据库和谷歌学术搜索引擎,纳入比较GH用于IVF-ET中子宫内膜发育不良患者的随机对照试验(RCT)。由2位研究者独立筛选文献、提取资料和评价质量后,应用Revman5.1软件对数据进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入4篇RCT,268例患者。GH组与未使用GH组比较,子宫内膜类型[OR=6.83,95%CI(2.04,22.88),P=0.002]、内膜厚度[OR=10.62,95%CI(2.97,38.00),P=0.0003]、临床妊娠率[OR=3.37,95%CI(1.82,6.23),P=0.0001]均有统计学差异;而Gn使用量和天数、获卵数、优质胚胎数、移植优质胚胎数、HCG注射日E2值差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:IVF-ET子宫内膜发育不良患者在促排卵期辅助使用GH,可改善其子宫内膜容受性,提高临床妊娠率。     

促性腺激素释放激素激动剂治疗保守手术后子宫内膜异位症的Meta分析

目的:评价促性腺激素释放激素激动剂(GnRH-a)应用于子宫内膜异位症(EMT)保守手术后的临床疗效和药物不良反应.方法:检索PubMed、Cochrane Library、Embase、SCI、中国期刊全文数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库等数据库和手工检索专业相关期刊,检索时间截至2009年3月.纳入GnRH-a治疗EMT保守手术后患者的随机对照试验(RCT),按照Cochrane Handbook 5.0.1评价标准严格评价纳入研究的方法学质量,并使用RevMan 5.0软件进行Meta分析.结果:①GnRH-a组患者的疾病完全缓解率明显提高;②GnRH-a组各亚组不孕症患者的妊娠率无改变;③GnRH-a组术后1年内患者疼痛症状的复发率减少,而2、5年的复发率均无改变;④GnRH-a和孕激素类药物在妊娠率、慢性盆腔疼痛缓解和疼痛症状复发率的差异无统计学意义.结论:GnRH-a可提高保守术后EMT的完全缓解率和减少1年内疼痛复发率,但是在妊娠率、疾病和2年后的疼痛症状复发率等指标上并没有显示出优势;而且与孕激素相比GnRH-a在妊娠率、慢性盆腔疼痛缓解和疼痛症状复发率之间没有差异.     

GnRH-a对子宫内膜异位症相关不孕患者术后妊娠率疗效的Meta分析

目的:评价促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRH-a)对子宫内膜异位症(内异症)相关不孕患者腹腔镜术后妊娠率的疗效。方法:检索发表时间在2000年1月~2012年7月的中英文相关文献,采用Review Manager 5.1进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入12篇文献。腹腔镜术后使用GnRH-a对提高Ⅰ~Ⅱ期内异症相关不孕患者的妊娠率无显著疗效(RD=0.05,95%CI为-0.05~0.14),对Ⅲ~Ⅳ期患者的疗效显著(RD=0.29,95%CI为0.22~0.35)。结论:在提高妊娠率方面,Ⅰ~Ⅱ期内异症相关不孕患者单纯手术治疗为首选,Ⅲ~Ⅳ期患者术后应加用GnRH-a治疗。     

放化疗治疗Ⅱb～Ⅳa期局部晚期宫颈癌有效性与安全性的meta分析

目的:系统评价放化疗与单纯放疗治疗Ⅱb～Ⅳa期局部晚期宫颈癌(LACC)的疗效与安全性。方法:计算机检索The Cochrane Library、Pub Med、Embase、Web of science、CBM、VIP、CNKI和Wan Fang Data数据库,检索时限为建库至2017年7月。筛选出符合纳入、排除标准的随机对照实验(RCT),提取资料数据及评价质量后,采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入15个RCT。Meta结果显示,放化疗组的完全反应率(OR=2.20,95%CI=1.66~2.92,P0.00001)、5年无病生存率(OR=1.84,95%CI=1.39~2.42,P0.0001)、3年生存率(OR=1.76,95%CI=1.43~2.16,P0.00001)、5年生存率(OR=1.74,95%CI=1.37~2.21,P0.00001)均明显高于单纯放疗组,差异有统计学意义。放化疗组的Ⅲ/Ⅳ级急性毒性反应发生率高于单纯放疗组,差异有统计学意义(OR=3.41,95%CI=2.29~5.09,P0.00001);两组的Ⅲ/Ⅳ级迟发型毒性反应比较,差异无统计学意义(OR=1.36,95%CI=0.87~2.13,P=0.18)。结论:放化疗能显著提高LACC患者的近期和远期疗效,且能增加患者的Ⅲ/Ⅳ级急性毒性反应。但由于受纳入研究的质量及数量的限制,上述结论有待更多高质量研究予以证实。     

卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿合并不孕患者术后治疗探讨

目的:探讨卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿合并不孕的患者术后治疗策略。方法:将腹腔镜下卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿剥除术后要求妊娠的62例不孕患者随机分为期待组(n=31)和GnRH-a组(n=31)。期待组腹腔镜手术后随访观察,避免使用激素类药物;GnRH-a组腹腔镜手术后月经第1日给予GnRH-a治疗:达菲林3.75 mg皮下注射,1次/28 d,连用3次停药。所有患者随访24个月,观察24个月内妊娠情况。结果:期待组12个月内妊娠率为41.9%(13/31),13~24个月内妊娠率为22.2%(4/31),24个月累积妊娠率为54.8%(17/31)。GnRH-a组1年内妊娠率为48.4%(15/31),13~24个月内妊娠率为18.8%(3/31),24个月累积妊娠率为58.1%(18/31)。期待组与GnRH-a组比较,12个月内妊娠率、24个月累积妊娠率组间均无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:初步临床观察,卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿剥除术后使用GnRH-a在提高EMs合并不孕患者妊娠率方面未显示出优势。     

对氧磷酶-1酶活性在子宫内膜异位症诊断及分期中的价值

目的:探讨子宫内膜异位症(EMs)患者外周血对氧磷酶-1(PON1)酶活性作为疾病诊断及其病情严重程度的指标的可能性。方法:选取近16年EMs患者外周血PON1酶活性测定的相关文献进行Meta分析。比较其在EMs和非EMs良性病变育龄期妇女外周血中,以及其在不同EMs分期患者外周血中的差异。结果:EMs患者外周血中PON1酶活性较非EMs良性病变女性显著降低(OR=-51.27,95%CI为-72.52~-30.02,P0.05),Ⅲ~Ⅳ期明显低于Ⅰ~Ⅱ期(OR=-45.31,95%CI为-60.47~-30.20,P0.05)。结论:PON1活性与EMs发生、发展密切相关,测定患者血PON1酶活性可作为EMs诊断、分期的血清学指标。     

子宫内膜异位症合并不孕症的治疗策略

子宫内膜异位症（EMs）是妇科的常见病。单纯激素治疗并不能改善EMs合并不孕患者的生育结局。腹腔镜切除/剥除Ⅰ、Ⅱ期EMs病灶可增加不孕妇女的活产率。对于Ⅲ～Ⅳ期EMs合并不孕的首选治疗多数认为应采用手术+促性腺激素释放激素激动剂（GnRHa）,但也有一些异议。目前还没有证据表明哪一种腹腔镜下的手术技术可以获得更好的效果。荟萃分析发现EMs合并不孕患者与输卵管因素患者比较,助孕的总妊娠率下降约37%。有研究提示体外受精-胚胎移植（IVF-ET）前延长应用GnRHa可能会提高IVF的持续妊娠率和种植率。部分研究者认为,手术剥除卵巢内异囊肿会明显降低卵巢功能,而另一些作者则认为只要积累经验,注意保护卵巢组织,则手术对卵巢功能的影响不大。Ⅰ～Ⅱ期EMs术后可给予一定时间试孕,而Ⅲ～Ⅳ期EMs术后则应积极考虑助孕。对于助孕前是否应先行腹腔镜手术处理卵巢内异囊肿,目前存在争论。EMs复发,用药后助孕,特别是2次或以上的IVF,妊娠率明显优于再次手术。鉴于EMs对妊娠许多环节都有不利影响,助孕前先用药抑制EMs的活动无疑有利于助孕结果。     

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonists for assisted conception: a Cochrane review

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists suppress gonadotrophin secretion resulting in dramatic reduction in treatment cycle duration. Assuming comparable clinical outcomes, these benefits may justify changing the standard long GnRH agonist protocol to GnRH antagonist regimens. To evaluate the evidence, databases (e.g. Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE) were electronically searched, hand searches were performed, and manufacturers in the field were contacted. Twenty-seven randomized controlled trials (RCT) fulfilled inclusion criteria for comparison of GnRH antagonist with long GnRH agonist protocol. Clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy/live-birth rate were significantly lower in the antagonist group (P = 0.009; OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.95 and P = 0.02; OR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.68-0.97 respectively). Conversely, incidence of severe OHSS was significantly reduced with the antagonist protocol (P = 0.01; OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.40-0.88), and interventions to prevent OHSS were administered more frequently in the agonist group (P = 0.03; OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.92). Concluding, GnRH antagonist protocols are short, simple, with good clinical outcomes and significant reduction in severe OHSS incidence and gonadotrophin amount; however, the lower pregnancy rate compared with the GnRH agonist long protocol necessitates counselling subfertile couples before recommending change from GnRH agonist to antagonist.     

腹腔镜保守性手术联合药物治疗中、重度子宫内膜异位症及地诺孕素治疗复发性子宫内膜异位症性盆腔痛的疗效分析

目的探讨腹腔镜保守性手术联合常用药物对中、重度子宫内膜异位症(EMS)的治疗效果,以及新型药物地诺孕素对复发性子宫内膜异位症性盆腔痛(EAPP)的有效性及安全性。方法对2007年1月—2014年1月行腹腔镜保守性手术治疗EMS的432例患者进行回顾性分析与随访,按照术后联合应用不同药物分为A组(单纯行腹腔镜保守性手术组)、B组(术后联合应用GnRH-a类药物组),C组[术后联合应用左炔诺孕酮宫内缓释系统(IUS-LNG)组],D组(术后联合应用孕三烯酮组)。14名EAPP复发患者每日口服地诺孕素2mg治疗6~13个周期。分析各组患者EAPP的缓解情况、EMS合并不孕患者的妊娠率与妊娠时间、EMS的复发率与复发时间;评估EAPP复发患者应用地诺孕素治疗的有效性及安全性。结果(1)4组EAPP患者治疗前后的中位视觉模拟评分(VAS)均得到明显改善;B组、C组患者的改善更为明显。(2)4组患者EMS术后复发率与复发时间比较无统计学差异。(3)A组、B组、D组合并不孕患者的术后妊娠率分别为40.00%、65.21%、50.00%;B组患者术后妊娠率更高。(4)应用地诺孕素治疗复发性EAPP的患者用药前后的VAS评分有统计学差异。结论(1)单纯行腹腔镜保守性手术与手术后联合应用药物均能改善EAPP,提高妊娠率。(2)联合应用GnRH-a类药物与IUS-LNG后EAPP改善更明显,联合应用GnRH-a类药物还可提高妊娠率,且不延长术后妊娠时间。(3)联合药物治疗后复发率与平均复发时间较单纯行腹腔镜保守性手术相比并未降低。(4)地诺孕素有望成为复发性EAPP理想的治疗药物。     

体外受精周期卵巢储备功能正常采用激动剂长方案与拮抗剂方案促排卵的临床结局比较

目的:探讨卵巢储备功能正常者采用激动剂长方案和拮抗剂方案促排卵对体外受精周期妊娠结局的影响。方法:回顾性分析卵巢储备功能正常者进行体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)的265个周期。根据促排卵方案不同将其分为:激动剂长方案促排卵组(长方案组,157个周期),拮抗剂方案组(拮抗剂组,108个周期)。结果:患者的年龄、不孕年限、体质量指数(BMI)、基础性激素水平等一般情况组间均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。hCG注射日直径14 mm以上的卵泡数、hCG注射日E2水平、平均移植胚胎数及胚胎质量、受精率、生化妊娠率、早期流产率等组间均亦无统计学差异(P>0.05);但获卵数(12.6±4.6 vs 10.8±4.6)、可用胚胎数(5.0±3.0 vs 4.2±2.7)、胚胎种植率(29.87%vs 20.98%)、临床妊娠率(42.76%vs 28.70%)长方案组明显高于拮抗剂组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:卵巢储备功能正常者拮抗剂促排卵,其胚胎种植率、临床妊娠率明显低于长方案组。     

子宫内膜异位症腹腔镜手术后不同药物巩固治疗的疗效比较

目的:比较中重度子宫内膜异位症腹腔镜手术治疗后加用不同药物巩固治疗的效果。方法:45例患者术后不用药(A组);58例加用达那唑治疗(口服达那唑400mg,每日1次,疗程为6个月,B组);47例加用孕三烯酮治疗(口服孕三烯酮2.5mg,每周2次,疗程为6个月,C组);39例用促性腺激素释放激素激动剂(GnRH-a)治疗(皮下注射戈舍瑞林3.6mg,每月1次,疗程为6个月,D组)。比较4组患者术后复发、妊娠及用药副作用等情况。结果:术后2年A组复发率最高,显著高于其他3组(P<0.01);D组复发率最低,显著低于另3组(P<0.01),差异皆有统计学差异。B组和C组的复发率差异没有显著性(P>0.05)。4组不孕患者术后妊娠情况类似。结论:中重度子宫内膜异位症腹腔镜手术治疗后有必要加用药物巩固治疗,GnRH-a巩固治疗的疗效优于达那唑和孕三烯酮。术后药物治疗未能提高妊娠率。     

The routine use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists prior to in vitro fertilization and gamete intrafallopian transfer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a) used in ovulation induction for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT). DESIGN: Meta-analysis of 10 trials comparing treatment cycle outcomes after GnRH-a (n = 914) with other ovulation induction protocols (n = 722) and 7 trials comparing outcomes after short flare-up (n = 368) with longer suppression (n = 476) GnRH-a protocols. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome of primary interest was clinical pregnancy rate (PR) per treatment cycle commenced. Data describing the amount of gonadotropin used, cycle cancellation rate, clinical pregnancy per ET, and multiple pregnancy and abortion rates were also analyzed. RESULTS: Clinical PR per cycle commenced was significantly improved after GnRH-a use for IVF (common odds ratio [OR] 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33 to 2.44) and GIFT (common OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.24 to 4.51). Clinical PR per embryo transfer was also significantly improved with GnRH-a use (common OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.95). Cycle cancellation was decreased (common OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.44), whereas spontaneous abortion rate was similar with and without GnRH-a use. Cycle cancellation and PRs after short flare-up and longer suppression protocols were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis supports the routine use of GnRH-a for IVF and GIFT. Further research is needed, however, to assess the potential for increased rates of multiple pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which may be associated with this treatment.     

Oral contraceptive pills for endometriosis after conservative surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

To assess the effects of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) for endometriosis in women after conservative surgery, we performed a search of PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scidirect, Chinese VIP, CNKI and WANGFANG database. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of OCPs in postoperative medical therapy for endometriosis were collected. Articles published as of January 2013 with no language restriction were identified using defined keywords, and 15 studies comprising 1850 patients were included. There was a significantly higher rate of total endometriosis remission [OR?=?2.55, 95% CI (1.68, 3.86), p?<?0.00001] and a lower rate of recurrence [OR?=?0.31, 95% CI (0.22, 0.45), p?<?0.00001] in the OCPs group compared with surgery alone. There appears to be no statistical difference in pregnancy rates between the OCPs group as compared with surgery alone or other hormonal drug treatments in infertility patients. As for the rate of recurrence and complete remission, there were no statistical differences among OCPs and gestrinone, mifepristone or GnRH-a groups. However, OCPs users had less side effects that were more mild as compared with patients using other hormonal treatments.     

腹腔镜下子宫内膜异位症生育指数在子宫内膜异位症合并不孕中的应用研究

目的:探讨腹腔镜下子宫内膜异位症生育指数(EFI)对子宫内膜异位症(EMT)合并不孕患者的生育力评估的临床价值。方法:回顾性分析在我院进行腹腔镜手术治疗的EMT合并不孕、随访资料完整的118例患者的临床资料进行EFI评分,随访术后妊娠情况。结果:118例患者术后3年累积妊娠率为46.6%;术后第1、2、3年的妊娠率分别为28.8%、14.4%和3.4%,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。EFI评分9～10分、5～8分、≤4分者的术后3年累积妊娠率分别为76.2%、47.4%、10.5%,术后3年累积妊娠率与EFI评分、术后使用促排卵药物治疗呈正相关(tau-b=0.367,0.439;P<0.01);与美国生育协会修订的EMT分期(r-AFS)标准及使用促性腺激素释放激素激动剂(GnRH-a)无相关性(tau-b=0.006,0.076;P>0.05)。不同临床类型的术后3年累积妊娠率间两两比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:腹腔镜下EFI评分用于评估EMT合并不孕患者的生育力,指导后续治疗有重要的参考意义,可根据EFI评分,综合评估患者的生育状况,选择个体化的后续治疗方案;EMT合并不孕患者不建议长期期待以提高患者的妊娠率。     

Surgical management of endometriosis

The efficacy of medical and surgical treatment of endometriosis-associated infertility and pelvic pain is a source of ongoing controversy. Complete resolution of endometriosis is not yet possible and current therapy has three main objectives: (1) to reduce pain; (2) to increase the possibility of pregnancy; and (3) to delay recurrence for as long as possible. It is possible that a consensus will never be reached on the optimal treatment of minimal and mild endometriosis. In case of moderate and severe endometriosis-associated infertility, the combined approach (operative laparoscopy with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist) should be considered as 'first-line' treatment. The mean pregnancy rate of 50% reported in the literature following surgery provides scientific proof that operative treatment should first be undertaken to give our patients the best chance of conceiving naturally. In case of rectovaginal adenomyotic nodules, surgery must be considered as first-line therapy, medical therapy being relatively in-efficacious.     

A randomized study comparing triptorelin or expectant management following conservative laparoscopic surgery for symptomatic stage III-IV endometriosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of adjuvant treatment with gonadotropin-releasing-hormone agonist (GnRHa) following conservative surgical treatment of endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty patients in the reproductive age (mean age 28.6 years), with symptomatic stages III and IV endometriosis following laparoscopic surgery and without previous hormonal treatment were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, controlled trial to compare the effects of 3-month treatment with triptorelin depot-3.75 i.m. (30 patients) versus expectant management using placebo injection (30 patients). RESULTS: Six patients (one in triptorelin group and five in placebo group) were lost at follow-up, the remaining 54 were suitable for analysis. Pelvic pain persistence or recurrence, endometrioma relapses and pregnancy rate were evaluated during a 5-year follow-up. The results of 29 cases treated with triptorelin and 25 that received placebo did not show significant differences in pain recurrence (P=1, RR=0.94, 95% CI=0.57-1.55), endometrioma relapse (P=0.67, RR=1.29, 95% CI=0.66-2.50), and pregnancy rate in infertile women (P=0.80, RR=0.81, 95% CI=0.37-1.80). Curves of time of pain recurrence and pregnancy during 5-year follow-up did not show significant differences between the two groups (P=0.79 and P=0.51, respectively, using Mantel-Haenzsel logrank test). CONCLUSION: Triptorelin treatment after operative laparoscopy for stage III/IV endometriosis does not appear to be superior to expectant management in terms of prevention of symptoms recurrence and endometrioma relapse, and has no influence on pregnancy rate in endometriosis-associated infertility.