Selective Removal of Endometriotic Lesions Using CUSA Clarity in Ovarian Endometriomas

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and tissue selectivity of a novel surgical technology, the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) Clarity, in the management of ovarian endometriomas. Ovarian endometriomas are cysts caused by endometriosis that can damage ovarian reserve when treated by conventional surgery. In this study, ovarian cyst wall specimens are examined ex vivo using different Tissue Select settings of the CUSA device. Histopathological analyses are performed to determine whether endometriotic epithelium can be selectively removed while preserving normal ovarian tissue. The findings may contribute to developing fertility-preserving surgical approaches for women with endometriomas.

Endometriomas are one of the most common manifestations of endometriosis and are frequently associated with infertility. Conventional cystectomy often results in inadvertent removal of normal ovarian tissue, which may reduce ovarian reserve. To address this issue, the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) Clarity system, particularly with the Tissue Select mode, has been proposed as a tissue-selective surgical device. In this observational histopathological study, ovarian endometrioma wall specimens obtained during surgery are divided into multiple parts. Each part is subjected to ex vivo treatment with the CUSA Clarity device at different Tissue Select settings (0-4). The treated samples are fixed, paraffin-embedded, and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical markers (e.g., cytokeratin 7, CD10). Pathologists evaluate the extent of removal of endometriotic lesions and preservation of normal ovarian stroma. The primary objective is to assess whether endometriotic epithelium can be selectively removed while sparing ovarian stromal tissue. Secondary objectives include evaluation of the depth of tissue removal and the presence of residual lesions at unscraped margins. The results are expected to provide histopathological evidence supporting the potential clinical application of CUSA in fertility-preserving surgery for ovarian endometriomas.