The aim of this metaanalysis was to investigate the impact of excision of benign nonendometriotic ovarian cysts on ovarian reserve as determined by serum anti-Müllerian hormone level.
MEDLINE, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Embase were searched electronically.
All prospective and retrospective cohort studies as well as randomized trials that analyzed changes of serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations after excision of benign nonendometriotic cysts were eligible. Twenty-five studies were identified, of which 10 were included in this analysis.
Two reviewers performed the data extraction independently.
A pooled analysis of 367 patients showed a statistically significant decline in serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentration after ovarian cystectomy (weighted mean difference, –1.14 ng/mL; 95% confidence interval, –1.36 to –0.92; I2 = 43%). Subgroup analysis including studies with a 3-month follow-up, studies using Gen II anti-Müllerian hormone assay and studies using IOT anti-Müllerian hormone assay improved heterogeneity and still showed significant postoperative decline of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (weighted mean difference, –1.44 [95% confidence interval, –1.71 to –1.1; I2 = 0%], –0.88 [95% confidence interval, –1.71 to –0.04; I2 = 0%], and –1.56 [95% confidence interval, –2.44 to –0.69; I2 = 22%], respectively). Sensitivity analysis including studies with low risk of bias and excluding studies with possible confounding factors still showed a significant decline in circulating anti-Müllerian hormone.
Excision of benign nonendometriotic ovarian cyst(s) seems to result in a marked reduction of circulating anti-Müllerian hormone. It remains to be established whether this reflects a real compromise to ovarian reserve.