Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy vs clomiphene citrate plus metformin as second-line strategy for infertile anovulatory patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Jun;202(6):577.e1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.11.042. Epub 2010 Jan 22.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy (LOD) vs clomiphene citrate (CC) plus metformin in infertile patients with CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Study design: Fifty primary infertile patients with CC-resistant PCOS were assigned randomly to receive LOD followed by a 6-month observation (group A) or 6-cycle course of CC plus metformin (group B). Reproductive and safety outcomes were analyzed.

Results: No significant difference between 2 groups in pregnancy (15/92 women [16.3%] vs 14/107 women [13.1%]; P = .521) and live-birth (13/92 women [14.1%] vs 12/107 women [11.2%]; P = .536) rates per cycle was observed. With the use of a Cox regression analysis, patients under medical treatment, compared with patients who received surgical treatment, had a relative risk of pregnancy of 1.2 (95% confidence interval, 0.61-2.44; P = .582) and a relative risk of live-birth of 1.4 (95% confidence interval, 0.63-2.96; P = .425).

Conclusion: LOD and CC plus metformin seem to be 2 effective approaches to treat infertility in patients with CC-resistant PCOS.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous
  • Anovulation / complications
  • Anovulation / drug therapy*
  • Anovulation / surgery*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Clomiphene / therapeutic use*
  • Diathermy
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fertility Agents, Female / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infertility, Female / complications
  • Infertility, Female / drug therapy*
  • Infertility, Female / surgery*
  • Laparoscopy
  • Live Birth
  • Metformin / therapeutic use*
  • Ovary / surgery
  • Ovulation Induction / methods
  • Patient Selection
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / complications
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / surgery*
  • Pregnancy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Fertility Agents, Female
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Clomiphene
  • Metformin