Anovulation associated with PCOS has long been known to be amenable to surgical treatment, and a recent long-term cohort study up to 20 yearsafter laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery has shown persistence ofovulation and normalisation of serum androgens and SHBG over manyyears in over 60% of subjects. Insulin resistance and serum lipids werenot assessed, but women with PCOS treated with ovarian diathermy forreproductive reasons might obtain long-term benefit over and aboveresumption of ovulation and menses. The long-term benefits of ovariandrilling, including alterations in endocrine profile, have recently beenconfirmed in a second publication.However, at present, the risks of surgery do not justify recommendationof this treatment purely in an attempt to ameliorate the chances ofdeveloping diabetes or coronary artery disease in later life.