[Endometriosis and postoperative infertility. A prospective study (Auvergne cohort of endometriosis)]

Objective: To evaluate in infertile women the benefit of laparoscopic surgical treatment of endometriosis.

Patients and methods: All infertile patients aged 18 to 43 years old, operated between February 2004 and March 2008, with a minimal follow-up of 18 months, coming from the Auvergne cohort of endometriosis has been, were included. The primary end point was the achievement of a pregnancy.

Results: One hundred and twenty-three patients have been included. Global pregnancy rate was 48%, which 47% was spontaneous with a mean postoperative delay of 6±4.5 months. Sixty-three patients had benefited from Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and 25 pregnancies were obtained (pregnancy rate: 39.7% with a mean delay of 10±3.8 months). Eighty-one percent of spontaneous pregnancies were obtained during the first 12 postoperative months. Duration of preoperative infertility and tubal involvement were significantly associated with lower spontaneous pregnancy rate. No significant differences were found between endometriosis stage I and II compared to stage III and IV, and between patient under 34 years old compared to older.

Discussion and conclusion: With this first study on infertility from the Auvergne cohort of endometriosis, we are confirmed that surgery is one of the central issues in the treatment of infertile endometriosis patient. The postoperative delay to obtain a spontaneous pregnancy requires a quick management by ART after 6 to 12 postoperative month and an immediate management by ART in case of tubal involvement or former infertility.