Premature ovarian failure/dysfunction following surgical treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome: A case series

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. Surgical treatment of PCOS, either by the antiquated wedge resection or ovarian drilling, is one of the commonly used lines in developing countries due to its low-cost. Premature ovarian failure and diminished ovarian reserve are serious complications of the surgical treatment but no published reports sufficiently highlighted these hazards. In this case series, we report on twenty one women aged between 19–39 years, presented to Infertility Clinic, Assiut Women Health Hospital with ovarian dysfunction, diagnosed within 6–36 months after surgical management of PCOS. Nineteen of them had laparoscopic bilateral ovarian drilling using electrocauterization, and the last two had bilateral wedge resection of the ovaries through minilaparotomy. Accurate and documented diagnosis of PCOS, appropriate surgical training, adjusted thermal injury and adjusted number of punctures are essential for the avoidance of excessive damage to the ovaries. Under treatment (failure of drilling) is much better than premature ovarian failure or diminishing ovarian reserve.

Keywords

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Laparoscopic drilling
• Wedge resection
• Ovarian reserve
• Ovarian failure