Background: Ovarian endometriomas is a common condition among women of reproductive age and represents a major cost in terms of public health. Despite these implications for public health, it remains difficult to arrive at a consensus on the optimal surgical treatment.
Aims: To study the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of this pathology and to compare two major surgical techniques: the intraperitoneal cystectomy and fenestration -coagulation in terms of recurrence and prognosis for future fertility.
Methods: A retrospective study of 31 patients who underwent surgical treatment for ovarian endometrioma histologically proved. The study period covers 10 years from January 2000 to December 2009.
Results: Laparoscopy was performed in 27 patients. The endometrioma was located to the left side in 64% of cases. The main strategy performed is intraperitoneal cystectomy in 18 patients (58.8%). In second place we find the fenestration-coagulation. The mean duration of postoperative follow-up is 10.3 months. The recurrence of the cyst and the persistence of pain symptoms were significantly less frequent in the group of patients who underwent intraperitoneal cystectomy.
Conclusion: The laparoscopic surgery remains the first line approach in terms of ovarian endometrioma.Cystectomy offers performance equal or superior to the fenestration-coagulation technique, and exposes to fewer recurrences. For these reasons, it should be recommended. The fenestration-coagulation is possible in case the cystectomy is difficult or incomplete.