Laparoscopic stripping of endometriomas: a randomized trial on different surgical techniques. Part I: Clinical results

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgery has become the gold-standard treatment for ovarian endometriomas. The objective of this trial was to evaluate different procedures for the laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometriomas with the stripping technique. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with ovarian endometrioma were enrolled in two consecutive independent randomized trials. Two different techniques were analysed at the initial adhesion site (circular excision and subsequent stripping versus immediate stripping). Two different techniques were analysed at the ovarian hilus (stripping versus coagulation and cutting). Operative time and technical difficulties were prospectively evaluated. Histological analysis was performed in three portions of the cyst wall and the results of the histologic study are reported separately. RESULTS: At the initial part of the stripping procedure, the technique of circular excision and subsequent stripping appeared to be more easily performed than the technique of direct stripping (P