Location of endometrial polyp and pregnancy rate in infertility patients

To assess endometrial polyp location and abnormal endometrial findings and their impact on pregnancy rate.

Retrospective study.

Reproductive clinic in Kanagawa, Japan.

A retrospective study was conducted on 230 infertility patients who had an endometrial polyp, as suspected on the basis of ultrasound and as diagnosed by hysteroscopy.

Polyps were excised by either polypectomy or curettage. All samples were examined for pathology. The endometrial cavity was subdivided into five area categories: uterotubal junction, anterior uterine wall, posterior uterine wall, lateral uterine wall, and multiple. The patients received < or =6 months of follow-up; pregnancy rates were compared between the five subdivisions.

Pregnancy rates.

The incidence of endometrial polyps was as follows, by location: uterotubal junction, 8.0%; posterior uterine wall, 32.0%; anterior uterine wall, 15.4%; lateral uterine wall, 9.2%; and multiple, 35.4%. The pregnancy rate after surgery was as follows, by location: uterotubal junction, 57.4%; posterior uterine wall, 28.5%; anterior uterine wall, 14.8%; lateral uterine wall, 18.8%; and multiple, 40.3%. Endometrial hyperplasia was found in 6.9% of the cases. The pregnancy rate after surgery at the uterotubal junction was significantly higher than that of other locations.

Endometrial polyps are commonly found on the posterior wall of the uterus; however, excision of polyps that were located at the uterotubal junction significantly improved the pregnancy rate. Endometrial polyps should be categorized by both size and location.