Laparoscopic treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts: eleven years' experience.
OBJECTIVE
To compare laparoscopic and open approaches in the management of benign ovarian teratomas (dermoid cysts) with regard to operative outcome, complications, and postoperative follow-up. Factors that predispose to rupture of dermoid cysts during laparoscopic removal and rates of adhesion formation in women with and without cyst rupture during laparoscopic surgery also were considered.


METHODS
Review of cases of women with dermoid cysts who underwent cystectomy either by laparoscopy or laparotomy in our department from 1992 through 2002 (Canadian Task Force classification III).


METHODS
The Infertility and Operative Laparoscopy units of the First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Athens, Alexandra Maternity Hospital, Athens, Greece.


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-two women with an ovarian mass requiring surgical management. Of these, 187 women with benign cystic teratomas underwent laparoscopic cystectomy, and 35 underwent cystectomy by laparotomy.


METHODS
Cystectomy either by laparoscopy or laparotomy.


RESULTS
Potential benefits of operative laparoscopy include reduced blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, fast recovery, and an excellent cosmetic result.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopy should be considered the method of choice for the removal of benign ovarian cystic teratomas as it offers the advantages of fewer postoperative adhesions, reduced pain, shorter hospital stay, and better cosmetic result. It should be performed by surgeons with considerable experience in advanced laparoscopic surgery.
Milingos
Spiros
S
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Alexandra Maternity Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Protopapas
Athanasios
A
Drakakis
Petros
P
Liapi
Anthoula
A
Loutradis
Dimitris
D
Rodolakis
Alexandros
A
Milingos
Dimitrios
D
Michalas
Stylianos
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome