Background: There is considerable controversy as to how long the beneficial effects of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) last. This follow-up study was undertaken to investigate the long-term effects of LOD.
Methods: The study included 116 anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who underwent LOD between 1991 and 1999 (study group) and 34 anovulatory PCOS women diagnosed during the same period, who had not undergone LOD (comparison group). The hospital records were reviewed and most patients attended for a transvaginal ultrasound scan and blood sampling to measure the serum concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone, androstenedione and sex hormone-binding globulin. The results before and at different intervals, short- (<1 year), medium- (1-3 years) and long-term (4-9 years), after LOD were compared.
Results: The LH:FSH ratio, mean serum concentrations of LH and testosterone and free androgen index decreased significantly after LOD and remained low during the medium- and long-term follow-up periods. The mean ovarian volume decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 11 ml before LOD to 8.5 ml at medium-term and remained low (8.4 ml) at long-term follow-up.
Conclusion: The beneficial endocrinological and morphological effects of LOD appear to be sustained for up to 9 years in most patients with PCOS.