title: Laparoscopically assisted vaginal ovarian cystectomy for clinically diagnosed benign large ovarian masses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to present our experience with laparoscopically assisted vaginal ovarian cystectomy (LAVOC) in selected patients with various large ovarian masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Among the medical records of 324 patients with ovarian masses, 10 consecutive women of reproductive age with prior sexual activity and with large ovarian masses (10-27 cm) were evaluated. A combined laparoscopic and vaginal ovarian cystectomy was done through the posterior cul-de-sac.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All operations proceeded smoothly; the ovarian pathologies included 1 mucinous cystadenoma, 1 serous cystadenoma, 1 mucinous cystadenoma coexisting with mature cystic teratoma, and 7 mature cystic teratomas. The median (range) tumor size was 15.5 cm (range, 10-27), operative duration was 62 minutes (range, 31-110), the estimated blood loss 50 mL (range, 10-150), and the hospital stay was 2 days (range, 1-4). No open conversion and blood transfusion was required, and no patient had major perioperative complications. One patient suffered from postoperative low-grade fever (<38.5 degrees C) controlled by 3-day parenteral antibiotic therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LAVOC is safe and feasible and can be an alternative to traditional laparotomy and the pure laparoscopic approach in selected patients. The potential risk of postoperative infection has to be kept in mind.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. wang2260@cgmh.org.tw
authors.forename: Chin-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Chyong-Huey
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Shang-Yu
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chyi-Long
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yung-Kuei
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Soong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000601:surgery*; D018291:Cystadenoma, Mucinous / Q000601:surgery; D018293:Cystadenoma, Serous / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult