Argon beam coagulator versus cystectomy for endometrioma treatment in infertile women and the impact on ovarian reserve. A case control study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of two different surgical modalities, traditional cystectomy and argon beam coagulator vaporization–ablation (ABC) of ovarian endometrioma on the ovarian reserve in terms of antimullerian hormone (AMH) and antral follicle count (AFC).Patients and methodsEighty infertile women with ovarian endometrioma were included in this case control study. Patients were selected to undergo either traditional cystectomy (Group I, n = 40) or argon coagulator beam vaporization (Group II, n = 40). Mean serum AMH changes and antral follicle counts (AFC) were the primary and secondary outcomes of this study.ResultsAt 2 weeks follow-up, postoperative mean serum AMH levels were markedly decreased, though not significantly different between both treatment groups and mean AFC was higher in both groups, though statistically significant in the ABC group.ConclusionOur study clearly demonstrated that the surgical management of endometrioma, with either ovarian cystectomy or argon beam coagulator vaporization causes a significant decrease in ovarian reserve in terms of AMH levels in women of reproductive age.