Ovarian Cysts Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ovarian Cysts, including details on causes, treatment, symptoms, infertility.

Laparoscopic surgery for large benign ovarian cysts.

Eltabbakh GH, Charboneau AM, Eltabbakh NG

Lake Champlain Gynecologic Oncology, P.C., South Burlington, VT 05403, USA. geltabbakh@lcgo.com

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and surgical outcome of laparoscopic surgery among women with large benign ovarian cysts. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study applying laparoscopic surgery among women with ovarian cysts whose maximum diameter was > or = 10 cm and radiologic and laboratory features suggestive of benign disease. Patients' demographics, clinical and ultrasound features, CA-125 values, surgical procedures, operative and post-operative complications, estimated amount of blood loss (EBL), operative time, conversion to laparotomy and the pathologic findings were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-three consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic surgery over 7 years. The mean (range) age and body mass index were 45.2 (17-73 years) and 30 (21-42), respectively. Laparoscopic surgery was successful in 31 (93.9%) patients. The procedure was converted to laparotomy in 2 patients secondary to adhesions. There were no operative or post-operative complications. The mean (range) operative time, EBL and hospital stay were 82 (45-125 min), 89 (20-250 mL) and 0.94 (0-4 days), respectively. Twenty-three (70%) patients were discharged home the day of the surgery. The surgical procedures performed were: unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (SO) (n=16), bilateral SO (n=4), ovarian cystectomy (n=2) and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and bilateral SO (n=9). The cysts were extracted after aspiration through the vagina (n=11), lower quadrant incision (n=5) or the umbilical incision (n=15). Pathologic findings included serous cystadenoma (n=11), mucinous cystadenoma (n=6), dermoid (n=6), endometriosis (n=5), benign epithelial-lined cyst (n=3) and borderline ovarian tumors (n=2). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is feasible and safe for women with large ovarian cysts with benign features and results in a short hospital stay.

Published 31 December 2007 in Gynecol Oncol, 108(1): 72-6.
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