[Results of treatment with surface cauterization of polycystic ovaries in sterility patients]

In 39 women with polycystic ovaries (PCO) and a history of sterility, laparoscopic electrocautery of the surface of the ovaries was performed by a technique adapted from Gjoennaess (1984). Previous hormonal treatment with clomiphene and/or human menopausal gonadotropins had been unsuccessful in these patients, whilst 23 of them (59%) conceived within one year after surgery. Electrocautery was followed by a decrease of mean testosterone levels from 0.95 +/- 0.064 ng/ml to 0.48 +/- 0.041 ng/ml and a similar decline of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate from 2.9 +/- 0.136 g/ml to 1.6 +/- 0.165 g/ml respectively. Laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery is however associated with the risk of postoperative adhesion formation. Therefore we advise this form of surgery only, when hormonal therapy failed or if it presents an unacceptable high risk of hyperstimulation or a multiple pregnancy.