title: Surgical treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and to compare the surgical course, post-surgical course and particularly post-surgical pain of the laparoscopic and laparotomic methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a surgical study on dermoid cysts at the Gynecology Department of Siena University between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 1996. The selected cases were randomized into two groups based on surgical approach: via laparotomy (n=22) or laparoscopy (n=22). Surgical times, estimated blood loss, post-surgical pain, time in hospital, speed of recovery and complications were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean blood loss was significantly less for laparoscopy (58.64+/-30.17 ml versus 103.84+/-38.45 ml, P<0.05). Mean hospitalization was 6.32+/-1.09 days for laparotomy and 3.18+/-0.39 days for laparoscopy (P<0.05). Post-surgical pain was significantly less in laparoscopy patients (P<0.05). The laparoscopic technique had fewer post-surgical complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The laparoscopic approach had many advantages. Laparoscopy should be the elective treatment for women with dermoid cysts, because it has many advantages for the patient and lower costs for the national health system.
authors.affiliation: Siena University, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Italy. morgante@unisi.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morgante
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ditto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: la Marca
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Leo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010146:Pain; D011183:Postoperative Complications