Ultrasound guided aspiration of endometrioma--a new therapeutic modality to improve reproductive outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and reproductive outcome following ultrasound guided aspiration (UGA) of endometrioma in infertile patients.

METHOD

This is a prospective non-randomized clinical report of UGA in 22 infertile patients with endometrioma. The aspiration of endometriotic cysts was carried out transvaginally in nine and transabdominally in 13 patients. Following aspiration intranasal buserilin was given to eight and danazol to 14 patients. In the case of recurrence a reaspiration was done. Patients were allowed to conceive following medical therapy. Recurrence of endometrioma and conception rate was recorded and correlated with endometrioma size and volume aspirated.

RESULT

A total of 47 aspirations were done. There were no procedure related complications. Reaspiration was required in six patients and one was operated (total recurrence 7/22--31.8%). During a mean follow-up of 20+/-8.4 months nine patients (40.9%) conceived and eight have already delivered at term. The recurrence risk and the conception rate was not affected by the cyst size or volume aspirated.

CONCLUSION

UGA of endometrioma can be an effective and safe alternative therapeutic procedure in infertile patients with endometrioma to improve their reproductive outcome.