Diagnostic laparoscopy in infertility: a retrospective study.

Study Objective: To evaluate the role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and therapy of infertility.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Academically affiliated reproductive endocrinology practice.

Patients: One hundred seventy patients.

Intervention: Diagnostic/therapeutic laparoscopy.

Measurements And Main Results: One hundred seventy infertile patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy between 1996 and 2000 in our clinic, and 109 of them were seen at follow-up more than 1 year after laparoscopy. Of the 109 patients, 77 (70.6%) were treated with assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, and 32 (29.4%) were treated with conventional procedures. Of the 109 patients, 68 (62.4%), including 39 (50.6%) of the 77 treated with assisted reproductive technology and 29 (90.6%) of the 32 treated with conventional procedures, became pregnant. Of the 68 patients who became pregnant, 49 (72.1%) of them conceived within 1 year after laparoscopy.

Conclusion: Laparoscopy is an important procedure in the treatment of infertility.