Histological Assessment of Tissue Penetration Depth of Argon Beam Coagulation in Ovarian Endometriomas

NCT07711743 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: ENDO-ARGON-01Protocol ID
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the depth of tissue penetration of Argon Beam Coagulation (ABC) during laparoscopic surgery for ovarian endometriomas. Researchers want to determine how deeply ABC affects ovarian tissue and to generate data on the safety of this surgical technique. Participants will undergo standard laparoscopic surgery for ovarian endometriomas. During the planned surgical procedure, Argon Beam Coagulation will be applied to the ovarian surface according to the study protocol. The treated tissue will subsequently be excised as part of the planned surgery and analyzed histologically to measure the depth of tissue penetration.

Conditions

Ovarian Endometrioma; Endometriosis

Keywords

Argon Beam Coagulation; Ovarian Endometrioma; Endometriosis; Laparoscopy; Histopathology; Tissue Penetration; Ovarian Cystectomy; Fertility Preservation; Ovarian Reserve

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Depth of thermal tissue effects in the ovarian endometrioma cyst wall

  Histological measurement of the maximum depth of tissue penetration induced by argon plasma coagulation in the ovarian endometrioma capsule after standardized pre-cystectomy application.

  Immediately after surgery (Day 0)

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Presence of residual endometriotic epithelium

  At surgery (Day 0)

• Completeness of cyst lining ablation

  Immediately after surgery (Day 0)

• Thermal damage to adjacent ovarian parenchyma

  At surgery (Day 0)

• Technical success of argon beam application

  During surgery (Day 0)

• Intraoperative complications

  During surgery (Day 0)

Study Arms (1)

Argon Plasma Coagulation Before Ovarian Endometrioma Cystectomy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants undergo standardized argon plasma coagulation (APC) on the surface of the ovarian endometrioma capsule immediately before laparoscopic cystectomy. The resected capsule is subsequently analyzed histologically to determine the depth of APC tissue penetration

Procedure: Argon Plasma Coagulation

Interventions

Argon Plasma Coagulation PROCEDURE

Standardized argon plasma coagulation (APC) is applied to the outer surface of the ovarian endometrioma capsule immediately before laparoscopic cystectomy. The resected tissue is subsequently processed for histological analysis to assess the depth of APC tissue penetration.

Argon Plasma Coagulation Before Ovarian Endometrioma Cystectomy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female patients aged 18-40 years.
• Indication for surgical treatment of ovarian endometrioma based on clinical symptoms and/or imaging findings.
• Diagnosis of ovarian endometrioma ≥3 cm confirmed by preoperative imaging (ultrasound and/or MRI).
• Planned laparoscopic cystectomy.
• Written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Expected lack of compliance or inability to understand the study procedures.
• Previous surgical procedures on the affected ovary.
• Recurrent ovarian endometrioma.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Participation in another interventional clinical study that may influence study outcomes, such as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels or pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern: lead

Study Sites (1)

University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inselspital Bern

Bern, Canton of Bern, 3008, Switzerland

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Endometriosis

Interventions

Argon Plasma Coagulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Genital Diseases, Female; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Genital Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electrocoagulation; Cautery; Therapeutics; Hemostatic Techniques; Ablation Techniques; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Hemostasis, Surgical

Central Study Contacts

Michael David Mueller, Prof.

CONTACT

+41 31 63 2 12 01; Michel.Mueller@insel.ch

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 13, 2026
• First Posted: July 17, 2026
• Study Start: July 9, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 7, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 7, 2027
• Last Updated: July 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

CH (1)