Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy | Emory School of Medicine (2024)

FAQs

Is laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy a major surgery? ›

Is ovarian cystectomy a major surgery? It depends on what type of surgery you have. If your surgeon can perform the procedure laparoscopically, it's minimally invasive and you'll likely return to your typical activities within two or three weeks. There are still risks to surgery, but they're low.

What happens during the procedure? Typically, one or two tiny (1/4 inch) incisions are made at the belly button and on the far right or left side in the bikini line. One slightly larger (3/4 inch) incision is also made just above the pubic bone. The larger incision is used to remove the cyst.

Most women feel better within the first week following surgery; however, do not lift, push or pull any heavy objects for a few weeks. Do not resume sexual intercourse until your doctor says it is OK. Full recovery takes about four to six weeks to allow for internal healing.

After the procedure, it is normal for your navel area and abdomen to be sore and possibly bruised. Your shoulders and back may hurt from the gas placed in your abdomen during the procedure. You may have some vagin*l discharge or spotting after surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard cholecystectomy. LC is the most common difficult laparoscopic surgery performed by surgeons today. The factors leading to difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be predicted.

Thus, ovarian cystectomy affects ovarian reserves (8–10). Surgical procedures on the ovaries lead to ovarian tissue damage, which can exacerbate the harm to the remaining follicles, which raises concerns for gynecological researchers regarding the use of different surgical procedures in this field (11, 12).

If you're having surgery, more small cuts may need to be made in your tummy for the surgeon to pass their tools through. When it's finished, the air is let out of your tummy and the cuts are closed with stitches or clips, and a dressing is placed on top.

Surgery will be recommended to remove the cyst or ovary if medications do not help or cysts are 5 to 10 cm in diameter. Different types of surgeries to remove the cysts include laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy.

Will you lose weight after ovarian cysts resolve? Not necessarily. However, if you have PCOS, the correct treatments — which could include medication, dietary supplements, or lifestyle changes — may lead to weight loss. Ovarian cysts can cause some abdominal bloating, which may resolve after they go away.

Sleeping on your back after laparoscopic surgery is indeed the best option. You may alleviate the strain on your lower spine by placing a cushion beneath your knees. Using a cushion of the same size as your neck, prop it up. Prevent sleeping on a pillow that's too big for your neck and back and avoid pain.

Can I sleep on my side after ovarian cystectomy? ›

Sleeping in a semi-upright position is recommended, using a few pillows to elevate the head and shoulders to avoid putting pressure on the abdominal area. Avoid sleeping on your stomach or the side where the incisions were made.

An ovarian cyst can be removed from an ovary (cystectomy), preserving the ovary and your fertility. But it is possible for a new cyst to form on the same or opposite ovary after a cystectomy. New cysts can only be completely prevented by removing the ovaries (oophorectomy).

Large cysts (>5 to 10 cm) are more likely to require surgical removal compared with smaller cysts. However, a large size does not predict whether a cyst is cancerous. If the cyst appears suspicious for cancer (based on tests) or if you have risk factors for ovarian cancer.

You may have less pain and discomfort compared with those in a laparotomy, and you can start eating and drinking early. After laparoscopic surgery, you can resume normal activities within a day. However, you must avoid any strenuous activity, heavy weight-lifting, or exercise for about four to six weeks.

The truth of the matter is that symptoms such as swelling, stomach distention and abdominal discomfort are very common after surgery. The good news is that these sensations are only temporary. Phew! Post-operative bloating and swelling usually peaks 48 hours after surgery, but will mostly subside by the 12-week mark.

If your cyst is particularly large, or there's a chance it could be cancerous, a laparotomy may be recommended. During a laparotomy, a single, larger cut is made in your tummy to give the surgeon better access to the cyst. The whole cyst and ovary may be removed and sent to a laboratory to check whether it's cancerous.

However, the advantages of laparoscopic surgery such as lesser postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, better cosmetic outcomes, and early return to activities in addition to the advancing techniques of specimen retrieval in minimally invasive surgery to tackle peritoneal seeding have led to its increased preference ...

Will you lose weight after ovarian cysts resolve? Not necessarily. However, if you have PCOS, the correct treatments — which could include medication, dietary supplements, or lifestyle changes — may lead to weight loss. Ovarian cysts can cause some abdominal bloating, which may resolve after they go away.

Minor complications such as infection and irritation of the incisions are possible, as are more serious risks such as: Ovarian cysts and endometriomas (cysts in the uterine lining) may reoccur. Anesthesia-related issues. The formation of hematomas, or swelling due to blood outside a vessel.