Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) for recurrence of symptoms in women who have had surgery for endometriosis

Abou-Setta AM, Al-Inany HG, Farquhar C

Published Online:

November 10, 2010

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, usually in the pelvis, that can lead to infertility and pelvic pain. It is managed with surgery, hormonal medications, or a combination of both. The progestogen levonorgestrel is one such hormonal medication. The aim of this review was to assess if the use of a hormone-releasing IUD was beneficial for managing associated painful symptoms and for preventing recurrence of endometriosis. At this stage, although preliminary findings are encouraging, there is only limited evidence of a beneficial role in reducing recurrence of painful periods with the use of the LNG-IUD following surgery for endometriosis.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

Various options exist for treating endometriosis, including surgical treatment, ovarian suppression therapy, or a combination of these strategies. Surgical treatment of endometriosis aims to remove visible areas of endometriosis and restore anatomy by division of adhesions. The aim of medical therapy is to inhibit growth of endometriotic implants by suppression of ovarian steroids and induction of a hypo-estrogenic state. Postoperative treatment with a hormone-releasing intrauterine device, using levonorgestrel (an LNG-IUD), has been suggested.

Objectives:

To determine if postoperative use of an LNG-IUD in women with endometriosis improves pain symptoms associated with menstruation and reduces recurrence compared with no treatment, postoperative insertion of a placebo, or postoperative systemic therapy.

Search strategy:

The following databases were searched: (1) Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group (MDSG) Specialised Register of controlled trials; (2) Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2009, Issue 1); (3) MEDLINE (1966 to Feb 2009); (4) EMBASE (1980 to Feb 2009); and (5) National Research Register (NRR). The citation lists of relevant publications, review articles, abstracts of scientific meetings, and included studies were also searched.

Selection criteria:

Trials were included if they compared women undergoing any type of surgical treatment for endometriosis with uterine preservation and then randomised to LNG-IUD insertion within three months versus no treatment, placebo (inert IUD), or systemic treatment. Diagnostic laparoscopy alone was not considered to be surgical treatment.

Data collection and analysis:

Two review authors (AM Abou-Setta, HG Al-Inany) independently selected studies for inclusion and extracted data to allow for an intention-to-treat analysis. For dichotomous data, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect method.

Main results:

In one small randomised controlled trial there was a statistically significant reduction in the recurrence of painful periods in the LNG-IUD group compared with the control group receiving expectant management (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.75). The proportion of women who were satisfied with their treatment was also higher in the LNG-IUD group compared with the control group but this difference did not reach statistical significance (OR 3.00, 95% CI 0.79 to 11.44).

Authors' conclusions:

Limited evidence from one small study has shown that postoperative use of the LNG-IUD reduces the recurrence of painful periods in women who have had surgery for endometriosis. There is a need for further, well-designed RCTs of this approach.

This record should be cited as:

Abou-Setta AM, Al-Inany HG, Farquhar C. Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) for symptomatic endometriosis following surgery. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD005072. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005072.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

February 22, 2009

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Primary Review Group:

Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group

Health topics:

Gynaecology > Pelvic pain > Endometriosis

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) for recurrence of symptoms in women who have had surgery for endometriosis

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