title: Laparoscopic surgery for large benign ovarian cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility and surgical outcome of laparoscopic surgery among women with large benign ovarian cysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective study applying laparoscopic surgery among women with ovarian cysts whose maximum diameter was > or = 10 cm and radiologic and laboratory features suggestive of benign disease. Patients' demographics, clinical and ultrasound features, CA-125 values, surgical procedures, operative and post-operative complications, estimated amount of blood loss (EBL), operative time, conversion to laparotomy and the pathologic findings were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic surgery over 7 years. The mean (range) age and body mass index were 45.2 (17-73 years) and 30 (21-42), respectively. Laparoscopic surgery was successful in 31 (93.9%) patients. The procedure was converted to laparotomy in 2 patients secondary to adhesions. There were no operative or post-operative complications. The mean (range) operative time, EBL and hospital stay were 82 (45-125 min), 89 (20-250 mL) and 0.94 (0-4 days), respectively. Twenty-three (70%) patients were discharged home the day of the surgery. The surgical procedures performed were: unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (SO) (n=16), bilateral SO (n=4), ovarian cystectomy (n=2) and laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and bilateral SO (n=9). The cysts were extracted after aspiration through the vagina (n=11), lower quadrant incision (n=5) or the umbilical incision (n=15). Pathologic findings included serous cystadenoma (n=11), mucinous cystadenoma (n=6), dermoid (n=6), endometriosis (n=5), benign epithelial-lined cyst (n=3) and borderline ovarian tumors (n=2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopy is feasible and safe for women with large ovarian cysts with benign features and results in a short hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Lake Champlain Gynecologic Oncology, P.C., South Burlington, VT 05403, USA. geltabbakh@lcgo.com
authors.forename: Gamal H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Eltabbakh
authors.forename: Adrienne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Charboneau
authors.forename: Noura G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Eltabbakh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies