Videolaseroscopy for the treatment of endometriosis associated with infertility

Recent advances in laparoscopic surgery have enabled the gynecologic surgeon to treat an increased number of diseases of the reproductive organs by using the laser through the laparoscope. The article reviews the results of 243 patients with infertility associated with endometriosis ranging in severity from mild to extensive who were treated by the same surgeon using CO₂ laser laparoscopically with videocamera augmentation and control. Of the 243 infertility patients, 168 (69.1%) achieved pregnancy. The pregnancy rates were 71.8% in 39 patients with stage I disease, 69.8% in 86 patients with stage II disease, 67.2% of 67 patients with stage III disease, and 68.6% in 51 patients with stage IV disease. The life table and two-parameter exponential model were used to calculate monthly fecundity, 'cure' and 'probability of pregnancy' rates. The results indicate that videolaseroscopic treatment of endometriosis associated with infertility, in surgically experienced hands, is at least as efficacious as other forms of therapy for mild and moderate cases of disease, but appears to be more successful than laparotomy for the more severe and extensive stages of disease.