Name: fertility sparing procedure using carbon dioxide fiber laser vaporization of ovarian endometrioma
Uploaded: 2022-07-06T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fertility Sparing Procedure using Carbon Dioxide Fiber Laser Vaporization of Ovarian Endometrioma at JoVE.com

No external funding was either sought or obtained for this study.

All the studies were conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki, as outlined in the International Conference on Harmonization Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. Written informed consent for data collection and anonymous publication of disease-related information is routinely obtained at the institution during patient interviews preceding surgical treatment. Women participating in the randomized controlled study signed a specific informed consent form. The Institutional Review Board of the institution ap...

<ol>
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B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laparoscopic+excision+of+ovarian+cysts:+is+the+stripping+technique+a+tissue-sparing+procedure.">Laparoscopic excision of ovarian cysts: is the stripping technique a tissue-sparing procedure.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 77 (3), 609-614 (2002).</li><li>Sanchez, A. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+distinguishing+cellular+and+molecular+features+of+the+endometriotic+ovarian+cyst:+from+pathophysiology+to+the+potential+endometrioma-mediated+damage+to+the+ovary.">The distinguishing cellular and molecular features of the endometriotic ovarian cyst: from pathophysiology to the potential endometrioma-mediated damage to the ovary.</a> Human Reproduction Update. 20 (2), 217-230 (2014).</li><li>Benaglia, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rate+of+severe+ovarian+damage+following+surgery+for+endometriomas.">Rate of severe ovarian damage following surgery for endometriomas.</a> Human Reproduction. 25 (3), 678-682 (2010).</li><li>Muzii, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Histologic+analysis+of+specimens+from+laparoscopic+endometrioma+excision+performed+by+different+surgeons:+does+the+surgeon+matter.">Histologic analysis of specimens from laparoscopic endometrioma excision performed by different surgeons: does the surgeon matter.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 95 (6), 2116-2119 (2011).</li><li>La Torre, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+blood+flow+before+and+after+conservative+laparoscopic+treatment+for+endometrioma.">Ovarian blood flow before and after conservative laparoscopic treatment for endometrioma.</a> Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology. 25 (1-2), 12-14 (1998).</li><li>Loh, F. H., Tan, A. T., Kumar, J., Ng, S. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+response+after+laparoscopic+ovarian+cystectomy+for+endometriotic+cysts+in+132+monitored+cycles.">Ovarian response after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for endometriotic cysts in 132 monitored cycles.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 72 (2), 316-321 (1999).</li><li>Candiani, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+recovery+after+laparoscopic+enucleation+of+ovarian+cysts:+insights+from+echographic+short-term+postsurgical+follow-up.">Ovarian recovery after laparoscopic enucleation of ovarian cysts: insights from echographic short-term postsurgical follow-up.</a> Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 12 (5), 409-414 (2005).</li><li>Donnez, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Large+ovarian+endometriomas.">Large ovarian endometriomas.</a> Human Reproduction. 11 (3), 641-646 (1996).</li><li>Candiani, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessment+of+ovarian+reserve+after+cystectomy+versus+'one-step'+laser+vaporization+in+the+treatment+of+ovarian+endometrioma:+a+small+randomized+clinical+trial.">Assessment of ovarian reserve after cystectomy versus 'one-step' laser vaporization in the treatment of ovarian endometrioma: a small randomized clinical trial.</a> Human Reproduction. 33 (12), 2205-2211 (2018).</li><li>Candiani, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fertility+outcome+after+CO2+laser+vaporization+versus+cystectomy+in+women+with+ovarian+endometrioma:+a+comparative+study.">Fertility outcome after CO2 laser vaporization versus cystectomy in women with ovarian endometrioma: a comparative study.</a> Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 28 (1), 34-41 (2021).</li><li>Ottolina, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+responsiveness+in+assisted+reproductive+technology+after+CO2+fiber+laser+vaporization+for+endometrioma+treatment:+preliminary+data.">Ovarian responsiveness in assisted reproductive technology after CO2 fiber laser vaporization for endometrioma treatment: preliminary data.</a> Minerva Endocrinologica. 45 (4), 288-294 (2020).</li><li>Candiani, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recurrence+rate+after+&amp;#34;one-step&amp;#34;+CO2+fiber+laser+vaporization+versus+cystectomy+for+ovarian+endometrioma:+a+3-year+follow-up+study.">Recurrence rate after &amp;#34;one-step&amp;#34; CO2 fiber laser vaporization versus cystectomy for ovarian endometrioma: a 3-year follow-up study.</a> Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 27 (4), 901-908 (2020).</li><li>American Society for Reproductive Medicine. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Revised+American+Fertility+Society+classification+of+endometriosis:+1996.">Revised American Fertility Society classification of endometriosis: 1996.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 67 (5), 817-821 (1997).</li><li>Hart, R. J., Hickey, M., Maouris, P., Buckett, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Excisional+surgery+versus+ablative+surgery+for+ovarian+endometriomata.">Excisional surgery versus ablative surgery for ovarian endometriomata.</a> The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (2), (2008).</li><li>Daniell, J. F., Kurtz, B. R., Gurley, L. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser+laparoscopicmanagement+of+large+endometriomas.">Laser laparoscopicmanagement of large endometriomas.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 55 (4), 692-695 (1991).</li><li>Sutton, C. J., Ewen, S. P., Jacobs, S. A., Whitelaw, N. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser+laparoscopic+surgery+in+the+treatment+of+ovarian+endometriomas.">Laser laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of ovarian endometriomas.</a> The Journal of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. 4 (3), 319-323 (1997).</li><li>Donnez, J., Pirard, C., Smets, M., Jadoul, P., Squifflet, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Surgical+management+of+endometriosis.+Best+practice+&amp;+research.">Surgical management of endometriosis. Best practice &amp; research.</a> Clinical Obstetrics &amp; Gynaecology. 18 (2), 329-348 (2004).</li><li>Sutton, C. J., Jones, K. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser+laparoscopy+for+endometriosis+and+endometriotic+cysts.">Laser laparoscopy for endometriosis and endometriotic cysts.</a> Surgical Endoscopy. 16 (11), 1513-1517 (2002).</li><li>Roman, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+endometrioma+ablation+using+plasma+energy+versus+cystectomy:+a+step+toward+better+preservation+of+the+ovarian+parenchyma+in+women+wishing+to+conceive.">Ovarian endometrioma ablation using plasma energy versus cystectomy: a step toward better preservation of the ovarian parenchyma in women wishing to conceive.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 96 (6), 1396-1400 (2011).</li><li>Muzii, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Histologic+analysis+of+endometriomas:+what+the+surgeon+needs+to+know.">Histologic analysis of endometriomas: what the surgeon needs to know.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 87 (2), 362-366 (2007).</li><li>Roman, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vaporization+of+ovarian+endometrioma+using+plasma+energy:+histologic+findings+of+a+pilot+study.">Vaporization of ovarian endometrioma using plasma energy: histologic findings of a pilot study.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 95 (5), 1853 (2011).</li><li>Donnez, J., Wyns, C., Nisolle, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Does+ovarian+surgery+for+endometriomas+impair+the+ovarian+response+to+gonadotropin.">Does ovarian surgery for endometriomas impair the ovarian response to gonadotropin.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 76 (4), 662-665 (2001).</li><li>Vanni, V. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Flexible+CO2+laser+fiber:+first+look+at+the+learning+curve+required+in+gynecological+laparoscopy+training.">Flexible CO2 laser fiber: first look at the learning curve required in gynecological laparoscopy training.</a> Minerva Ginecologica. 70 (1), 53-57 (2018).</li><li>Pados, G., Tsolakidis, D., Assimakopoulos, E., Athanatos, D., Tarlatzis, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sonographic+changes+after+laparoscopic+cystectomy+compared+with+three-stage+management+in+patients+with+ovarian+endometriomas:+a+prospective+randomized+study.">Sonographic changes after laparoscopic cystectomy compared with three-stage management in patients with ovarian endometriomas: a prospective randomized study.</a> Human Reproduction. 25 (3), 672-677 (2010).</li><li>Tsolakidis, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+impact+on+ovarian+reserve+after+laparoscopic+ovarian+cystectomy+versus+three-stage+management+in+patients+with+endometriomas:+a+prospective+randomized+study.">The impact on ovarian reserve after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy versus three-stage management in patients with endometriomas: a prospective randomized study.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 94 (1), 71-77 (2010).</li><li>Roman, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postoperative+recurrence+and+fertility+after+endometrioma+ablation+using+plasma+energy:+retrospective+assessment+of+a+3-year+experience.">Postoperative recurrence and fertility after endometrioma ablation using plasma energy: retrospective assessment of a 3-year experience.</a> Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 20 (5), 573-582 (2013).</li><li>Carmona, F., Mart&#237;nez-Zamora, M. A., Rabanal, A., Mart&#237;nez-Rom&#225;n, S., Balasch, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+cystectomy+versus+laser+vaporization+in+the+treatment+of+ovarian+endometriomas:+a+randomized+clinical+trial+with+a+five-year+follow-up.">Ovarian cystectomy versus laser vaporization in the treatment of ovarian endometriomas: a randomized clinical trial with a five-year follow-up.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 96 (1), 251-254 (2011).</li></ol>

The aim of this method is to provide a comprehensive overview of our experience with CO2 fiber laser technology at San Raffaele Scientific Institute since 2015, when the use of this technique first started for the surgical management of endometriomas. Since endometriosis is a chronic benign gynecological condition affecting women of reproductive age with potential offspring desire, surgical techniques need to be as fertility-sparing as possible.
A Cochrane review18...

The best surgical treatment for ovarian endometriosis, especially when fertility preservation is a priority for women with a desire for offspring, is still a matter of debate. Although cystectomy is still the recommended technique1, previous studies have raised some concerns about its possible detrimental effect on ovarian reserve and reproductive outcomes due to the inadvertent removal of healthy ovarian parenchyma2,3,4.
Indeed, unlike non-endometriotic cysts, endometrioma is a pseudocyst not surrounded by a real anatomic capsule5, in which inflammation caused by free iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a role in the substitution of the surrounding normal ovarian cortical tissue with fibrous tissue6. Thus, the absence of a clear cleavage plan may lead to an increased risk of removing healthy ovarian parenchyma, even when cystectomy is performed by experienced surgeons7,8.
Moreover, cystectomy-mediated injuries could lead to compromised vascularization due to the diffusion of thermal damage to the surrounding healthy ovarian parenchyma during coagulation, as shown by previous findings where adverse changes in the ovarian artery blood flow were reported after cystectomy9,10,11.
At our institution, concerns about ovarian damage after cystectomy led to the introduction of CO2 fiber laser technology since in 2015. This surgical procedure, which can deliver energy with a controlled tissue penetration depth and little thermal spread, was inspired by the work of Jacques Donnez more than 20 years ago12.
Although ablative techniques involving CO2 fiber laser technology do not represent a novelty in the surgical management of endometrioma, many surgeons may not feel confident with the procedure. Indeed, only a few studies have investigated the impact of this technique on ovarian reserve, pregnancy outcome, and the rate of recurrence of endometriosis. The aim of this protocol is to provide an overview of the promising results obtained using the CO2 fiber laser technology since its introduction in 2015 and to describe the simplicity and reproducibility of this technique.
Firstly, in order to assess the impact of CO2 fiber laser vaporization and cystectomy on ovarian reserve markers, a multicenter randomized trial was conducted between 2017 and 2018. A total of 60 patients were randomly assigned either to Group 1 (cystectomy: 30 patients) or Group 2 (CO2 laser vaporization: 30 patients) at a ratio of 1:1, by using a computer-generated randomization list that used the simple randomization method13. To investigate postoperative spontaneous conception, a prospective observational study was conducted between 2015 and 2019 on 142 women, comparing cystectomy and laser vaporization14. When pregnancy was not achieved after CO2 fiber laser vaporization, patients were referred to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics and were then included (n = 26) in a prospective observational study to investigate ovarian responsiveness to controlled ovarian stimulation15. Following this, a retrospective analysis of a larger sample size study population (n = 125, women with or without offspring desire), who were treated between 2015 and 2018 and whose follow-up lasted at least 12 months, was performed to assess the recurrence rate of a cyst and/or pain symptoms after both the surgical techniques16.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>CO2 fiber laser</td>
			<td>UltraPulse Duo system, Lumenis Ltd</td>
			<td>AC-1059590</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insufflation Needle</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>10065003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laparoscopic Forceps</td>
			<td>Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH</td>
			<td>20195-133</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Manipulator</td>
			<td>Lumenis Ltd</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UltraPulse Duo</td>
			<td>Lumenis Ltd</td>
			<td>GA-2000000</td>
			<td>CO2 laser system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VIO 3</td>
			<td>Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH</td>
			<td>10160-000</td>
			<td>electrosurgical unit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Voluson S8</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>186958SU5</td>
			<td>ultrasound scan voluson system 8</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

fertility sparing procedure using carbon dioxide fiber laser vaporization of ovarian endometrioma

The surgical management of endometrioma is still a matter of debate. Cystectomy, which is recognized as the standard technique, seems to be associated with a potential reduction in the ovarian reserve due to the inadvertent removal and thermal damage of healthy ovarian tissue. New ablative techniques with reduced tissue penetration depth and less thermal spread to the surrounding parenchyma may represent a viable alternative to cystectomy. For these reasons, the aim of this manuscript is to demonstrate the ablation of the endometrioma capsule using a CO2 fiber laser technique and discuss the clinical outcomes. Once the cyst has been drained and washed, a biopsy is taken. After cyst eversion, vaporization of the inner surface of the cyst is performed using a CO2 fiber laser. The technique is simple and reproducible as even young surgeons without any surgical experience were more confident in performing laser CO2 vaporization instead of cystectomy. The positive effects of CO2 technology are reported in a randomized controlled trial, where the postoperative changes in the antral follicular count (AFC) and antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels were compared between patients who had their endometrioma excised (cystectomy) and those who had undergone endometrioma vaporization with CO2 laser. The patients treated with CO2 laser showed significantly increased AFC without a reduction in serum AMH levels as compared to the cystectomy group, in which both parameters were significantly reduced. The postoperative pregnancy rate was also assessed, and comparable pregnancy rates were found after both treatments. On the contrary, patients treated with the CO2 fiber laser technique had more favorable in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes compared to cystectomy.
In conclusion, the CO2 fiber laser technique may represent a viable alternative to cystectomy in the surgical treatment of endometrioma in terms of ovarian preservation, pregnancy rates, and IVF outcomes. Moreover, it has the advantage of being independent of the surgeon's skills and personal experience.

The details of the outcomes of the included studies are shown in Table 1.
Ovarian reserve after one-step laser vaporization versus cystectomy in the treatment of ovarian endometrioma13 
The aim of this randomized controlled study was to compare the two surgical procedures for endometrioma treatment (cystectomy versus CO2 laser vaporization) in terms of their impact on ovarian reserve markers (AFC and serum AMH concentrat...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fertility Sparing Procedure using Carbon Dioxide Fiber Laser Vaporization of Ovarian Endometrioma at JoVE.com

Fertility Sparing Procedure using Carbon Dioxide Fiber Laser Vaporization of Ovarian Endometrioma

In this protocol, CO2 fiber laser technique is demonstrated for the surgical treatment of ovarian endometriosis, which represents a viable alternative in terms of fertility preservation with the major advantage of not being dependent on the surgeon's skills and personal experience.

The surgical management of endometrioma is still a matter of debate. Cystectomy, which is recognized as the standard technique, seems to be associated ...

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