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Using an ovarian drilling by hydrolaparoscopy or recombinant follicle stimulating hormone plus metformin to treat polycystic ovary syndrome: Why a randomized controlled trial fail?

H. Fernandez, I. Cédrin-Durnerin, V. Gallot, C. Rongières, A. Watrelot, J.-M. Mayenga-Mankezi, A. Arnoux

Journal de gynecologie, obstetrique et biologie de la reproduction, 2015

126 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pregnancy rates after randomized controlled trial (RCT) between ovarian drilling by fertiloscopy or ovarian hyperstimulation+insemination+metformine after clomifène citrate (cc) treatment fails.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trial with 126 patients in each arm in 9 university centers. After 6-9 months of stimulation by cc, 2 groups were randomized: group 1, ovarian drilling with bipolar energy versus group 2: 3 months treatment by metformine followed by 3 hyperstimulation by FSH+insemination. The success rate was pregnancy rate above 12 weeks.

RESULTS: RCT was stopped after the screening of 40 patients. In spite of the low number of patients, the pregnancy rate is significantly higher in medical group 8/16 versus 3/18 (p=0.04).

CONCLUSION: The causes of fail of RCT were in relationship with difficulties of inclusion, with absence of final agreement by team included. Moreover, RCT between medical and surgical management is often root of difficulties for patients who decline surgical strategy. However, medical treatment appeared better than drilling in this RCT.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 126 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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