title: Management of adnexal masses by operative laparoscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of operative laparoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of benign adnexal masses, and treat the lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients evaluated for this indication between January 1989 and December 1993, who met the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Jan Palfijn General Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Varese, Varese, Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-one women with a clinical, biochemical, and ultrasound diagnosis of benign adnexal mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operative videolaparoscopy was carried out in all patients using the carbon dioxide or argon laser, electrical, or mechanical means.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depending on the patient's age and the appearance of the adnexal mass aspirate, biopsy, cystectomy, or adnexectomy was performed. The conversion rate to laparotomy was 2.4%. A pathologic diagnosis was made in all cases. In this series no malignancy was encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Operative laparoscopy is safe and effective for treating adnexal masses provided that the preoperative diagnosis indicates that the lesions are benign.
authors.affiliation: Jan Palfijn General Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Merksem Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Herendael
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beretta
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Slangen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swaegers
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zanaboni
mesh_terms: D000290:Adnexa Uteri / Q000601:surgery; D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001128:Argon; D001706:Biopsy; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004598:Electrosurgery; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000601:surgery; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000601:surgery; D019152:Paracentesis; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D001128:Argon