The role of laparoscopic adhesiolysis in an in vitro fertilization program

Adhesiolysis was evaluated in 82 women who had 129 laparoscopies for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Fifty-five women (67%) had lysis during the first laparoscopic attempt, and 20 of the 129 laparoscopies (16%) required lysis for identification and aspiration of follicles. In 11 women who had a second laparoscopy, 69% of the ovaries had improved access. With the use of laparoscopic lysis, only 3 of 82 women (4%) had insufficient ovarian access, preventing recovery of at least one oocyte. The findings support the efficacy of laparoscopic adhesiolysis and indicate that it has an important role in a program of IVF-ET in assuring initial access for oocyte recovery and in improving access for subsequent attempts.