The treatment of mild endometriosis with laser laparoscopy: a two-step treatment analysis of patients whose primary therapy was successful.

OBJECTIVES

The most advantageous treatment for pelvic endometriosis that is not extensive has long been the subject of debate. In recent years, the ability to detect atypical presentations has allowed the gynecological surgeon to treat this entity more readily. The treatment in the past has been concerned with the singular treatment being applied at the time, not on the prior treatment effects on current therapy. The purpose of the current study was to see whether previous successful treatment modalities affected the success of subsequent laparoscopic laser fulguration treatment of endometriosis.

METHODS

Patients who were previously treated for their endometriosis (minimal and mild) and had success in achieving pregnancy were treated for their disease after failing to become pregnant after delivery. They were treated with laparoscopic laser fulguration of the disease and the results were examined by chi-square (chi2) analysis.

RESULTS

There appears to be no difference in current pregnancy rates in patients who were successfully treated in the original treatment for endometriosis, no matter which of the therapies had been used.

CONCLUSION

If endometriosis is diagnosed at the time of laparoscopy and is easily amenable to treatment, it should be treated at the time of surgery regardless of prior treatment and results.