Current uses of the laser for fertility-promoting procedures.

The addition of lasers to the gynecologist's surgical armament has been heralded by some and scoffed at by many. Only through scientific assessment of published data using this new technique is one able to obtain an intelligent perspective of the clinical applicability for the laser in fertility-promoting procedures. A review of the literature, with stated pregnancy rates, describing the delivery of the carbon dioxide, argon, and Nd:YAG lasers via laparotomy or laparoscopy is presented. It is hoped that as this new surgical modality evolves, additional studies will further define its role in preserving or enhancing reproductive potential.