Ovarian cystectomy versus laser vaporization in the treatment of ovarian endometriomas: a randomized clinical trial with a five-year follow-up.

Objective: To investigate the effect of two laparoscopic techniques for treatment of ovarian endometriomas on recurrence rate.

Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Patient(s): Ninety women with ovarian endometriomas.

Intervention(s): Patients were randomly selected to undergo either laparoscopic cystectomy (group 1) or laser vaporization (group 2) of ovarian endometrioma.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Recurrence, evaluated by ultrasound scan examination, was assessed at 12 and 60 months of follow-up.

Result(s): Endometrioma recurrence rate was higher, though not significantly different, in group 2 at 60 months of follow-up. Nevertheless, at 12 months of follow-up recurrences were statistically higher in group 2.

Conclusion(s): The comparison between laparoscopic laser ablation and laparoscopic cystectomy for ovarian endometriomas after long-term follow-up showed earlier recurrences and a higher recurrence rate in the laser group, although at 5 years of follow-up there were no statistically significant differences.