ovarian cyst removal
Anytime an ovarian cyst is causing severe pain, is ruptured or twisted, large, solid, irregularly shaped, or suspected of being cancerous, removal of the cyst is recommended. The chances of a cyst being cancerous will increase for older patients, so the older the patient with the ovarian cyst is, the more likely that ovarian cyst removal will be undertaken.
Prior to the removal of the ovarian cyst, a doctor will usually perform a physical exam on the patient. They will also conduct a review of medications, a urine test, and a blood test. They may do a CT scan and X-ray of the abdomen to confirm their diagnosis before considering ovarian cyst removal.
In order to remove an ovarian cyst, a doctor may choose to perform either laparoscopic surgery or open surgery, depending on the type of ovarian cyst that is removed. It is common to perform open surgery on larger cysts.
In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision in which to insert a thin tube called a laparoscope. The tube is used to find the cyst and from there, the surgeon is able to remove the cyst.
For large ovarian cyst removal, surgery under general anesthesia may be needed. Patients may experience some pain in the abdomen after surgery. They also may experience such complications as infection or bleeding. It is important to understand that recurrence of ovarian cysts is possible. In a few rare cases, the patient may also experience infertility and blood clots.
If ovarian cancer is not detected during the surgery, it is highly unlikely that the patient will suffer any complications. Full recovery is expected within weeks after the surgery. On the other hand, if ovarian cancer is detected, then the patient may have to have one or both ovaries removed either during the surgery or in another surgery. Treatment of ovarian cancer would need to follow.
After the removal of an ovarian cyst, it is important to contact your doctor if you experience fever or chills, excessive pain or bleeding, shortness of breath, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal swelling, vomiting, or any other signs of ill health. An ovarian cyst removal, like all other surgeries, must be closely monitored post-surgery but should have no complications.
