Laparoscopic surgery improves pregnancy outcomes in women with suspected endometriosis with or without pathological confirmation

Purpose of the investigation: To verify whether histologic confirmation of endometriosis impacts fertility outcomes. Materials and Methods: Women with unexplained infertility (UI) underwent laparoscopic excision or ablation with CO2 laser or electrocautery of all suspected endometriotic lesions, followed by clinical treatment between January 2007 and December 2013; pregnancy (>12 weeks) within 12 months of monitored cycles was the main outcome measured. Results: Women with histological confirmation (n=74) did not differ from those not confirmed (n=29) with age, body mass index, gravidity, parity, ovulation induction protocol, and past duration of infertility. Pregnancy outcome was similar in both groups (39/74 vs. 15/29 -p = 0.9 - Chi-square) and there was no statistical difference in time to conceive/deliver (p = 0.7) between groups. Conclusions: There is no difference in fertility outcomes in women with UI, whether or not suspected endometriosis is confirmed pathologically.