Comparison of Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling Success between Two Standard and Dose-Adjusted Methods in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: One of the treatment methods for increasing the ovarian response to ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD). The optimal amount of the electrosurgical energy discharged in the ovaries to achieve maximum treatment response with minimal follicle injury is unknown. This study was performed to compare the success level of LOD by means of standard and dose-adjusted treatment methods among infertile clomiphene-resistant PCOS women. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on infertile clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS women in the Gynaecology Department of Imam Reza Hospital between 2016 and 2017. The patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the ovarian cautery method. The two groups were examined and compared regarding the antral follicles, the serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), androgens, and mid-luteal progesterone one month after surgery. The regularity of cycles, ovulation, and pregnancy were examined monthly up to six months after surgery. Results: In total, 60 women received bilateral LOD (n=30 per group). The level of AMH (P=0.73), testosterone (P=0.91), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS, P=0.16) did not differ at study entrance and one month after ovarian cautery [P=0.94 (AMH), P=0.46 (testosterone), and P=0.12 (DHEAS)] and for postoperative mid-luteal progesterone (P=0.31). Intragroup comparisons showed a statistically significant difference in the decrease in the number of antral follicles and testosterone in the standard group (P=0.02) and AMH level in the cautionary dose-adjusted group (P=0.04). We observed no difference in cycle regularity (P=0.22), ovulation (P=0.11), and pregnancy (P=0.40) between the two groups after six months. Conclusion: The results indicated that there was no difference between the two methods of ovarian cautery with regards to establishing cycle regularity and ovulation. The standard treatment was effective in decreasing the numbers of antral follicles and testosterone levels, whereas the dose-adjusted method significantly affected the decrease in AMH levels.