Laparoscopic control of danazol therapy on pelvic endometriosis.

In order to evaluate the efficiency of Danazol treatment on pelvic endometriosis, a laparoscopic control with photographs was performed before treatment in 33 cases. Of these 20 were severe (group A), seven mild (group B) and six light (group C), according to the American Fertility Society classification, and 15 patients were infertile, 10 had pelvic pain and eight had dysmenorrhoea. Among the 28 patients who accepted a laparoscopic control after 6 months of treatment, the result was quite good in 50% of the cases in groups B and C, an improvement was seen in 30% of the patients in groups A and B, but a failure in 50% of the cases, especially in group A. Of the 14 cases with an ovarian cyst greater than 3 cm in diameter an operation was necessary either by laparoscopy (four cases) or by laparotomy (five cases). Seven pregnancies were established out of 15 cases of infertility, but a relapse was noticed in 30% of the cases. In conclusion, it appears that Danazol therapy is effective in mild or light endometriosis, but is not sufficient in cases of ovarian endometriosis with cysts greater than 3 cm in diameter.