Salpingo-ovariolysis: a comparison between laser surgery and electrosurgery

A prospective, randomized study comparing the result of salpingo-ovariolysis using the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and the microdiathermy needle was conducted. The pregnancy rate after laser surgery was 53.3% (n = 30) and after electrosurgery was 51.5% (n = 33) at 2-year follow-up. Although the surgery-conception interval after laser surgery (9.9 +/- 2.0 months) tended to be shorter than after electrosurgery (13.1 +/- 2.0 months), no statistical difference was reached. This report suggests that there is no difference between the pregnancy rate after salpingo-ovariolysis with the use of the CO2 laser or with the use of the microdiathermy needle. The surgery-conception interval, however, tends to be shorter after laser surgery. A larger series of patients is required to clarify the latter.