# Analysis of Laparoscopic and Transvaginal Ovarian Drilling on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Narrative Review of Outcomes

**Authors:** Mah Rukh Afzal, Mohamed Alassar, Ariba Furqan, Linh Huynh, Maher Feras Alnajjar, Safa Gismalla, Ibrahim Mostafa Hussein, Adel Mahmah

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.103930 · Cureus · 2026-02-19

## TL;DR

This paper reviews laparoscopic and transvaginal ovarian drilling as treatments for PCOS, comparing their effectiveness and suitability for different patients.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comparative analysis of LOD and TVOD for PCOS treatment, highlighting patient-specific factors influencing their use.

## Key findings

- Both LOD and TVOD are effective for ovulation induction in clomiphene-resistant PCOS patients.
- TVOD is associated with fewer complications and lower costs compared to LOD.
- LOD may be preferable for patients with high LH levels and shorter infertility duration.

## Abstract

The primary objective of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) treatment is to achieve mono-ovulatory cycles, thereby enabling pregnancy and childbirth. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) and transvaginal ovarian drilling (TVOD) are widely used second-line treatments for ovulation induction in PCOS patients who do not respond to clomiphene citrate (CC). LOD involves the application of heat or laser energy to create small perforations in the ovary, whereas TVOD involves ultrasound-guided ovarian puncture. Both LOD and TVOD have been shown to be effective in promoting ovulation and enhancing fertility outcomes in PCOS patients. TVOD offers several potential advantages over LOD, including a lower risk of surgical complications, reduced cost, and the ability to be performed in an outpatient setting. Both LOD and TVOD are effective treatment options for PCOS-related infertility. The choice between the two procedures should be based on individual patient characteristics, including body mass index (BMI), hormonal profiles, and previous responses to treatment. Further research is needed to optimize these techniques and clarify their clinical applications. Patients with clomiphene-resistant PCOS should be carefully assessed for both LOD and TVOD. LOD may be more suitable for patients with elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and shorter durations of infertility. In contrast, TVOD may be preferred for patients who would benefit from a less invasive approach with a lower risk of adhesion formation.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** PCOS (MONDO:0008487)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** adhesion (MESH:D000267), PCOS (MESH:D011085), infertility (MESH:D007246)
- **Chemicals:** CC (MESH:D002996)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

50 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13006100/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13006100