Previous ovarian surgery increases the risk of tubal factor infertility

Abstract

Previous ovarian surgery increases the risk of tubal factor infertility Hue HJ1*, Kim SK1,2*, Choi JY3, Suh DH1,2, Kim KD1,2, No JH1,2, Lee JR1,2, Jee BC1,2, Kim YB1,2, Jeon HW4 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul (Korea) Summary Aim: Previous ovarian surgery for endometriosis results in decreased ovarian reserve and poor response to treatment in women with infertility. However, the impact of previous overall ovarian surgery on the incidence of infertility is unclear. Therefore the authors in- vestigated impact of previous ovarian surgery on infertility incidence. Materials and Methods: This is a case-control study using retro- spectively collected data in women who received infertility treatment (cases) or delivered babies (controls) at a tertiary center between 2003 and 2012. Results: The frequency of previous ovarian surgery was similar in both groups (p > 0.05) but it was higher in women with tubal infertility than their matched controls (p < 0.05). Also, the frequency of previous reproductive organ surgery was higher in the case group and in women with tubal or unexplained infertility (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Previous ovarian surgery is not associated with entire infertility, but may increase tubal factor infertility through adhesion formation and damage to adjacent tubes. Key Words: Ovary; Surgery; Infertility; Ovarian reserve; Endometriosis.