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BACKGROUND: There have been conflicting results in randomized trials of the effects of laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation (LUNA) in chronic pelvic pain. Our objective was to perform a meta-analysis using individual patient data (IPD) to provide the most comprehensive and reliable assessment of the effectiveness of LUNA. METHODS: Electronic searches were conducted in the Medline, Embase, PsycInfo and Cochrane Library databases from database inception to August 2009. The reference lists of known relevant papers were searched for any further articles. Randomized trials comparing LUNA with no additional intervention were selected and authors contacted for IPD. Raw data were available from 862 women randomized into five trials. Pain scores were calibrated to a 10-point scale and were analysed using a multilevel model allowing for repeated measures. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between LUNA and No LUNA for the worst pain recorded over a 12 month time period (mean difference 0.25 points in favour of No LUNA on a 0-10 point scale, 95% confidence interval: -0.08 to 0.58; P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: LUNA does not result in improved chronic pelvic pain.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/humupd/dmq031

Type

Journal article

Journal

Hum Reprod Update

Publication Date

11/2010

Volume

16

Pages

568 - 576

Keywords

Ablation Techniques, Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Laparoscopy, Pelvic Pain, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Sacrococcygeal Region, Treatment Outcome, Uterus