The time-interval of ovarian reserve recovery after laparoscopic unilateral ovarian nonendometriotic cystectomy: a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Ovarian benign cyst, frequently seen in women of reproductive age, is one of the most important causes of damaging effect of ovarian reserve. Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy is established as the gold standard surgical approach to the ovarian benign cyst. Studies have shown that potential fertility can be directly impaired by laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and diminished ovarian reserve. There is little data about the time-interval of ovarian reserve recovery after the laparoscopic unilateral ovarian cystectomy. The objective of this study was to investigate the time-interval of ovarian reserve recovery after laparoscopic unilateral ovarian nonendometriotic cystectomy.Method: In the first part of the study, a total number of 67 patients with unilateral ovarian nonendometriotic cyst who underwent laparoscopic unilateral ovarian cystectomy were recruited as a postoperative observation group (POG). A total number of 69 same-aged healthy women without ovarian cyst who did not undergo surgery were recruited as a referent group (RFG).The serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit; the Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)and E2 levels, measured using a chemiluminescent reagent kit. The ovarian arterial resistance index (OARI) and AFC were measured by transvaginal ultrasonography on the 3rd-5th day of the same menstrual cycle. In the second part of the study, a prospective postoperative 6-month follow-up of cases was performed. Results: When compared with RFG, the AFC of POG’s cyst side showed no difference in the 1st, 3rd, 6th postoperative month (F = 0.03, 0.02, 0.55; P = 0.873, 0.878, 0.460). The OARI of POG’s cyst side presented no difference in the 1st, 3rd, 6th postoperative month ( F = 0.73, 3.57, 1.75; P=0.395, 0.061, 0.188). In the first month, the postoperative AMH levels declined significantly, 1.88 ng/ml (IQR: 1.61-2.16 ng/ml) in POG and 2.57 ng/ml (IQR: 2.32-2.83 ng/ml) in RFG (F = 13.43; P = 0.000). At the time interval, the rate of decline was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively in POG (32.75 %),and was also the case in the comparison of POG with RFG (26.67 %). Conclusions: After the laparoscopic unilateral ovarian cystectomy, the optimal time-interval can be the 6th month for ovarian reserve recovery. Semiannually, AMH levels were to be detected to find those whose window time to conceive was likely to be shorter than others of the same age.