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Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy vs Laparotomy – Best Choice For Ovarian Cyst Removal?

There are times that a woman may have a choice of her treatment for removing ovarian cysts, however sometimes, there are factors that determine which surgery…laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy, or laparotomy is needed. Recovery times are much shorter with the laparoscopic procedure.

When a woman receives the news that gynecological surgery to remove cysts on ovary needs to be scheduled, she may be given a choice between having the less invasive procedure… a laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy, and the more conventional surgery… a laparotomy. In order to make an educated decision though, many factors should be explored by both the surgeon and the patient.

First of all…one of the determining factors that may keep you from having a laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy will sound somewhat discriminatory, but there are reasons for these rules.

If a woman is postmenopausal and a cyst is discovered, the chances of ovarian cancer are much greater and a physician will very likely explore the issue with the laparotomy…or open surgery because the ovaries may need to be removed. In fact, many surgeons will suggest this open, traditional surgery if the patient is over thirty five years old because of the increased risk of cancer.

Another reason a surgeon would opt for a laparotomy over the laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy would be if a cyst was found on both ovaries.

Solid, or partially solid cysts have a higher tendency to be cancerous and therefore a doctor will want to perform an open laparotomy on any cyst that is not only fluid filled.

Large cysts, over three inches will definitely require the more invasive operation, as well.

A doctor may be forced to change from a laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy to open surgery if cancer is found, or if other complications arise. If none of the conditions apply that would make the laparotomy the only choice a surgeon has, the decision remains with the patient.

Recovery time is much faster with a laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy – because it is usually done as an outpatient, a woman is not as compromised as a patient having a laparotomy, so therefore she is normally feeling back to herself in less than a month. A laparotomy however, requires a hospital stay of a couple of days and may have a woman feeling some discomfort for as long as three months following her procedure.

Some complications may be present after both surgical procedures, like possible infection and some pain, but there will be more risks associated with the open surgery than with a laparoscopic operation.

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This video was made by Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim. Brought to you by ALEXEA.