The relation of fertility and ovarian histology after bilateral ovarian wedge resection

The immediate and long term fertility after bilateral ovarian wedge resection in 53 women with clomiphene citrate-resistant hyperandrogenic chronic anovulation is related to the histology of the ovarian wedges. Patients with polycystic ovaries and hyperplastic stromal abnormalities had most spontaneous conceptions and a normal fertility during follow-up. Apparently, chronic anovulation in these cases had been caused by ovarian disease in the face of normal hypothalamic function. Patients with polycystic ovaries without stromal abnormalities often needed postoperative stimulation of ovulation in order to conceive, which may indicate hypothalamic involvement. Patients with large ovaries, normal stroma, and small follicles, who as a group had the lowest serum levels of luteinizing hormone, and patients whose ovaries contained large follicles and cysts without theca cell activity did not benefit from the bilateral ovarian wedge resection. Generally, their postoperative response to medical induction of ovulation did not improve either. Measures to prevent adhesions were not completely successful. Nevertheless, our results suggest that anovulation rather than formation of adhesions causes persistent infertility after bilateral ovarian wedge resection.