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Intrauterine and intraabdominal adhesions are a major cause for infertility. The most recent investigations have demonstrated the potential of intraperitoneal adhesion barriers combined with good surgical technique to reduce adhesion formation. For intrauterine adhesions we suggest to minimize unipolar and bipolar instrumentation whenever possible. We advocate the use of estrogens for 10 days after adhesiolysis: 2dd two tablets of estradiol 2 mg. Instillation of Hyalobarrier Gel Endo actually is not reimbursed but may have a beneficial effect after myomectomy or adhesiolysis. Concerning laparoscopic and laparotomic prevention of adhesion also, meticulous surgical technique is of the utmost importance. Residual blood should be avoided by careful hemostasis and rinsing with Ringer's lactate with heparin. Preferably braided sutures are not to be left in the abdominal cavity. We advise to avoid unipolar and bipolar cauterization when possible and to replace with ultrasonic or laser energy. The use of floatation barriers does not seem to add substantial benefit in the prevention of adhesions. Gel barriers (Hyalobarrier Gel Endo® or Intercoat®) are proven to have a significant effect on adhesion prevention. As for sheets, there is enough evidence that they prevent adhesions. The use of NSAID in the prevention of pain and/or corticosteroids in the prevention of postoperative nausea is already mainstay after surgery and can be further endorsed in the prevention of adhesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In everyday clinical practice, it is not always clear if and when exactly in the fertility work-up a diagnostic laparoscopy should be offered. The aim of this review is to analyse the available evidence with respect to alternative diagnostic methods for detecting tuboperitoneal infertility and with respect to the position of diagnostic laparoscopy in women with infertility. A literature search of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (PubMed) was performed using the key words ‘diagnostic laparoscopy and infertility’. The study methodology was carefully considered in an effort to present conclusions preferably based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The routine use of diagnostic laparoscopy for the evaluation of all cases of female infertility is currently under debate. According to data published in retrospective non-controlled studies, diagnostic laparoscopy after several failed cycles of ovulation induction enables the detection of a significant proportion of pelvic pathology amenable to treatment. A Cochrane review has shown that laparoscopic ovarian diathermy in clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome is at least as effective as gonadotrophin treatment, and results in a lower multiple pregnancy rate. The role of laparoscopy before the start of treatment with intrauterine insemination is controversial, according to one RCT. In women with bilateral ultrasonically visible hydrosalpinges, two RCTs have demonstrated increased implantation and pregnancy rates in IVF cycles after salpingectomy. Although RCTs which have studied the benefit of laparoscopic surgery in moderate or severe endometriosis are still lacking, its value has generally been accepted. In conclusion, some specific clinical settings, solid evidence is available to recommend the use of diagnostic laparoscopy in current fertility practice. There is however a need for more RCTs to answer remaining questions regarding its value in the diagnosis and treatment of some patients with infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]