title: Laparoscopic management of giant ovarian cyst.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Giant intraabdominal cysts are very rare, and conventional treatment is full midline laparotomy. We present a case of complete laparoscopic extirpation of a giant ovarian cyst.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 16-year-old female presented with progressive abdominal distension for 1-year along with early satiety, constipation, and significant weight loss. A CT scan showed a giant multiseptated cystic mass in the abdomen measuring 22.5 x 30 x 40.5 cm with significant mass effect causing intrahepatic ductal dilatation and right hydronephrosis. The mass was decompressed via a mini-laparotomy in a controlled fashion, removing 15 liters of fluid. A laparoscopic left oophorectomy was then performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged home on postoperative day 1 with minimal pain and tolerating a regular diet. Pathology examination revealed a mature cystic teratoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Giant ovarian cysts can be managed laparoscopically when a normal tumor marker profile and benign imaging appearance exclude the possibility of malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: Scott C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Boulanger
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Salameh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*