The Unsuspected Pelvic Factor in the Infertility Investigation

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate pregnancy rates following treatment of unsuspected pelvic factor and to compare the incidence of unsuspected pelvic abnormalities in fertile and infertile women. The study consisted of two groups. The fertile group was composed of 43 women who were sterilized by laparoscopy during 1977–1978. Of these 43 women, only 7 (17%) were found to have endometriosis or adhesions. The infertility group consisted of 38 women who had completed a normal outpatient evaluation for infertility. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed unsuspected pelvic adhesions or endometriosis in 30 (79%) of the 38 women. All of the patients in the infertility group received immediate surgical or medical treatment as indicated by the severity of their condition. The difference in the incidence of unsuspected findings in the two groups was significant at P