Effect of Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling on Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization in Clomiphene-Resistant Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Recently the laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) has been used as a surgical treatment for ovulation in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), although its mechanism and outcomes are still unclear. This study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes in clomiphene-resistant women with PCOS who were treated with LOD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of 300 women between 20 to 35 years old with clomiphene-resistant PCOS who had an ovulatory infertility and who were nominated for IVF/ICSI. Based on their treatment history, they were located into the following two groups: group I (n=150) including PCOS women who had history of LOD at least 6 months to 3 years before IVF/ICSI, and group II (n=150) including PCOS patients without history of drilling. Both groups were treated with antagonist protocol in the assisted reproductive technology (ART) process. The duration of treatment cycles, number of oocytes and embryos obtained, chemical and clinical pregnancy rate, the number of embryos transferred, and presence of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS) were measured. To compare means and frequencies, Student’s t test, Mann-whitney and chi-square tests were used. RESULTS: Our results showed that ovarian cauterization before IVF/ICSI in patients with PCOS reduced the risk of OHSS (P=0.025). Despite the same pregnancy rate in both groups (P=0.604), more obtained oocytes and embryos were seen on women without ovarian drilling than women with LOD (P˂0.001 and P=0.033, respectively). CONCLUSION: There is no difference between the pregnancy rate in both groups. Due to significant reduction in OHSS in women undergoing LOD, this surgical treatment may be considered as a useful technique in the management of patients who have previously developed OHSS. However, there are ongoing concerns about long-term effects of LOD on ovarian function.