STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess recurrence and pregnancy rates in women with ovarian 
endometrioma treated via ablation using plasma energy.
DESIGN: Retrospective non-comparative pilot study including 55 patients treated 
during 28 months, with prospective recording of data (Canadian Task Force 
classification II-2).
SETTING: Tertiary referral center.
PATIENTS: Fifty-five consecutive women with pelvic endometriosis in whom ovarian 
endometriomas were managed solely via ablation using plasma energy. The minimum 
follow-up was 1 year.
INTERVENTION: Endometrioma ablation using plasma energy.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Information was obtained from the database of the 
North-West Inter Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis, based 
on self-questionnaires completed before surgery, surgical and histologic data, 
and systematic recording of recurrences, pregnancy, and symptoms. Recurrences 
were assessed using pelvic ultrasound examination. Mean (SD) follow-up was 20.6 
(7.2) months (range, 12-39 months). In 75% of patients, deep infiltrating 
endometriosis was treated, and 40% had colorectal involvement. Preoperative 
infertility was recorded in 42% of patients. The rate of postoperative 
recurrence was 10.9% for the entire series. Of 33 women who wished to conceive, 
67% became pregnant, spontaneously in 59%. Time from surgery to the first 
pregnancy was 7.6 (4.3) months. After discontinuation of postoperative hormone 
therapy, the probability of not conceiving at 12 months was 0.36 (95% confidence 
interval, 0.19-0.53), and at 24 months was 0.27 (95% confidence interval, 
0.12-0.44).
CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence and pregnancy rates are encouraging in that they seem 
comparable to the best reported results after endometrioma cystectomy. Plasma 
energy may have an important role in the management of ovarian endometrioma in 
women seeking to conceive. Patients most in need of surgical procedures that can 
spare ovarian parenchyma, such as those with bilateral endometriomas or a 
history of ovarian surgery, may particularly benefit from ablation using plasma 
energy.