Ovarian stromal blood flow changes after laparoscopic ovarian cauterization in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Women with PCOS have significant differences in intra-ovarian and uterine artery haemodynamics. The aims of this study were to compare the ovarian stromal blood flow before and after laparoscopic ovarian diathermy, and to evaluate the value of these parameters in predicting the outcome of treatment in women with polycystic ovaries. METHODS: Colour Doppler blood flow within the ovarian stroma was recorded and serum concentrations of FSH, LH and testosterone were measured in 52 women with polycystic ovaries before and after laparoscopic ovarian diathermy. Ovulation was evaluated by folliculometry and progesterone assay in the first menstrual cycle after operation. RESULTS: Six to 10 weeks after the diathermy, serum concentrations of LH and testosterone decreased significantly (P = 0.001). The mean +/- SD peak systolic velocity decreased from 14.04 +/- 6.28 to 12.49 +/- 6.32 cm/s (P = 0.001), pulsatility index increased from 0.98 +/- 0.36 to 1.78 +/- 0.72 (P = 0.001), and resistance index increased from 0.55 +/- 0.16 to 0.71 +/- 19 (P = 0.001). A total of 73% of the women ovulated. There were significant negative correlations between pulsatility index and LH (r = -0.43, P = 0.001), pulsatility index and testosterone (r = -0.40, P = 0.003) and pulsatility index and LH/FSH ratio (r = -0.53, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome may result in a decrease in ovarian stromal blood flow velocity. There was a significant correlation between hormonal and ovarian stromal blood-flow changes. Changes in the Doppler parameters were significantly higher in women who ovulated. The measurement of ovarian stromal blood flow by colour Doppler may be of value in predicting the outcome of treatment.