P–321 The impact of endometrioma and ovarian cystectomy in patients with major indications for IVF/ICSI with endometriosis
Authors: Chang J C , Ming-Jer C 
Published: August 2021

Study question

Does presence of endometrioma has worse IVF/ICSI outcome than endometriosis per se? What about the impact of cystectomy of endometrioma on IVF/ICSI outcomes?

Summary answer

IVF/ICSI outcome of patients with endometrioma is comparable than with endometriosis. Cystectomy for endometrioma did not alter IVF/ICSI outcomes if ovarian reserve is comparable.

What is known already

Previous studies revealed women with endometrioma undergoing IVF/ICSI had similar reproductive outcomes compared with those without. Most of the comparisons are between women with endometrioma and women without endometriosis. However, endometrioma per se, different from endometriosis may have specific impact on IVF/ICSI outcomes. There is now molecular, histological and morphological evidence to suggest endometrioma is detrimental to the ovaries. Studies comparing IVF/ICSI outcomes between women with endometrioma and women with endometriosis are few.

Cystectomy of endometrioma may worse ovarian reserve, and subsequently adversely affect IVF/ICSI outcomes. But there are possible complications associated with the persistence of endometrioma during IVF/ICSI.

Study design, size, duration

Retrospective analysis of 2153 IVF/ICSI cases during Jan/01/2014 to Dec/31/2018 in VGHTC. We included women who received ART due to endometriosis(n = 208). Exclusion criteria including patients &gt;40 years-old, simulation day &lt; 5 days, severe male factor, uterine factor (including adenomyosis) and immunological factors. Patients whose embryos were not completely transferred back or who received embryo transfer from different OPU cycles are excluded. We followed up these patients till 2020/6. The primary outcome is cumulative LBR

Participants/materials, setting, methods

For first analysis, we divided 208 cases to patients with endometrioma during IVF/ICSI(n = 89), and patients only diagnosed of endometriosis (n = 119). Second analysis on the effect of cystectomy of endometrioma on IVF/ICSI outcomes. Patients with endometrioma (n = 89) during IVF/ICSI were further divided to patients with primary endometrioma (n = 70) and patients with recurrent endometrioma (n = 19, ever received cystectomy for endometrioma). Another group is patients without endometrioma during IVF/ICSI, but ever received cystectomy before (n = 40)

Main results and the role of chance

For the first analysis, age, BMI and AMH were comparable in endometrioma (n = 89) and endometriosis group(n = 119). The usage gonadotropin dose was significantly higher in the endometrioma group (FSH 3619IU vs 3471IU, p = 0.001. LH 1224 IU vs 941 IU, p = 0.009). The Blastocyst formation rate is lower in the endometrioma group (49.4% vs. 57.7% p = 0.005). The OPU number, LBR and cumulative LBR were comparable in both groups (10.3 vs 12.4 p = 0.131, 33.3% vs 37%, p = 0.687, 49.4% vs 60.5%, endometrioma vs endometriosis). For the second analysis, when comparing cystectomy before IVF/ICSI group with primary endometrioma group, cystectomy group were younger (32.8 vs 34.8 p = 0.006). AMH level were comparable. The BC formation rate was significantly higher in the cystectomy group (61.5% vs 50.4% 0= 0.007). The LBR and cumulative LBR were comparable in both groups (43.5% vs 28.1%, 60% vs 48% in cystectomy vs primary endometrioma group). As for the recurrent endometrioma group, the age and AMH level were comparable with cystectomy group, but the usage gonadotropin dose was significantly higher than other two groups. The BC formation rate was also lower than cystectomy group (47.8% vs 61.5% p = 0.042). The LBR and cumulative LBR were comparable with other two groups (55.6%, 57.9%).

Limitations, reasons for caution

This is a retrospective study, and the sample size is limit. We did not analysis the size of endometrioma nor the unilateral or bilateral endometrioma.

Wider implications of the findings: Cystectomy for endometrioma must be carefully selected since it did not alter IVF/ICSI outcome only if the ovarian reserve is not affected. Recurrent endometriomas do not have a worse impact on IVF/ICSI outcome than primary endometrioma. If there is recurrent endometrioma, IVF/ICSI may be the first priority.

Trial registration number

Not applicable