Typical incisions for a laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy
Ovarian cysts are very common. The majority of ovarian cysts are benign (not cancerous). Some cysts given time will disappear by them selves, others will need surgery.
Reasons for surgery would be
1. Pain that does not improve with simple pain killers
a. This may be a sign of either
i. Bleeding into the cyst
ii. Rupture of the cyst
iii. Torsion of the cyst
2. A cyst of 5cm or more that is not resolving or increasing in size
3. If the clinicians are unsure of the nature of the cyst
When surgery is required even for very large ovarian cysts, laparoscopic surgery should be the modality of choice, and most surgery for ovarian cysts are performed as day cases.
The advantage of laparoscopic surgery for ovarian cysts are the fact that
1. It is less pain full, and less pain killers are required
2. Hospital stay is less
3. Recovery and resumption of normal activity is quicker
4. Blood loss during the procedure is less
5. Better cosmetic appearance of the scars
The procedure is carried out through an incision in the “belly button” and 2 or 3 small 5mm incisions are often used to insert the fine instruments used for the procedure
Most often women only need to take a few days to a week off work.
It is very rare particularly if the cysts are benign for traditional open surgery to be necessary. I would always advise women to seek a second opinion if they encounter surgeons whose primary method of treatment of ovarian cysts is Laparotomy.
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