Laparoscopic Use of Argon Beam Coagulator in the Management of Endometriosis

Fifty-five patients with endometriosis in whom argon beam coagulation was used through the laparoscope for coagulation of endometrial lesions, lysis of pelvic adhesions, uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) and presacral neurectomy (PSN) were evaluated retrospectively. Thirty patients (54%) had pelvic pain, and 25 patients (46%) presented with pelvic pain and/or infertility. Postoperatively, 29 (72.5%) women showed improvement of pain, 6 (15%) had no change of pain, and in 5 (12.5%) the pain became worse. Seven patients were able to conceive after longstanding infertility, for an early crude pregnancy rate of 28%. Laparoscopic use of argon beam coagulator in the treatment of endometriosis for both pain management and infertility is as effective as other electrosurgical or laser techniques.