EXCISION OF OVARIAN DERMOID CYST BY LAPAROSCOPY AND BY LAPAROTOMY

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic ovarian dermoid cystectomy and to compare the operative course, postoperative course, and complications between the laparoscopy and the laparotomy techniques. STUDY DESIGN: The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic ovarian dermoid cystectomy were evaluated in 40 women. Twenty-nine of 40 patients underwent laparoscopic excision of a solitary dermoid cyst without any additional procedure. The operative course, the postoperative course, and complications among these 29 women were compared with those of 26 other women who underwent a similar procedure by laparotomy. RESULTS: Spillage of the cyst's content did not lead to any complication. The operating time in the laparoscopy group was 73.5 +/- 4.7 minutes and in the laparotomy group it was 41.4 +/- 2.9 minutes. The duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in the laparoscopy group (0.7 +/- 0.2 days) than in the laparotomy group (3.8 +/- 0.1 days). CONCLUSIONS: Although ovarian dermoid cystectomy by laparoscopy is associated with a longer operating time than by laparotomy, the duration of hospitalization is shorter and recovery is faster. Spillage of the contents of the dermoid cyst does not lead to any complication; perhaps this is due to the liberal irrigation of the peritoneal cavity.