OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Laparoscopic ovarian cauterization as a treatment modality for women with PCOS.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical study.

SETTING: Infertility Unit

SUBJECTS: During the period from March 1996 to January 1999, forty-two infertile women among those attending Infertility Clinic, King Khalid Military City Hospital (KKMCH) Saudi Arabia were selected. They had clinical, ultrasound and biochemical findings consistent with PCOS. Women were examined for clinical evidence of androgen excess, including acne vulgaris and hirsutism. All patients were selected after treatment failure of clomiphene citrate given in incremental dose.

INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic ovarian electrocauterization was performed in the early follicular phase of an unstimulated cycle.

RESULTS: Postoperatively, there was a highly significant fall of serum levels of LH, testosterone, androstendione and LH/FSH (P