title: Management of benign ovarian cystic teratomas: laparoscopy compared with laparotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the outcomes of laparoscopic management of benign ovarian cystic teratomas (dermoids) compared with traditional laparotomy and excision.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of patients treated from October 1988 to May 1993.
  
  
  METHODS
  University of Connecticut Health Center-affiliated hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight women with dermoid cysts that were managed either by laparotomy or laparoscopy, 19 matched patients in each group. The majority of lesions in both groups were diagnosed at routine pelvic examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  The two groups were assessed with respect to age, gravidy, parity, size of lesions, and estimated blood loss at surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two values were significantly different in the group treated by laparoscopy: more dermoids ruptured intraoperatively, and the mean hospital stay was significantly shorter (p</=0.01). In most cases cystectomy was performed with preservation of the involved ovary. After a mean follow-up of 11 months no complications such as severe chemical granulomatous peritonitis or persistent pelvic pain have been encountered in the laparoscopy group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic management of dermoids is safe and cost effective, and provides patients the benefit of a shorter hospital stay and recovery time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Albini
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Benadiva
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haverly
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Luciano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013724:Teratoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome