Cr. Dellabadia et al., LAPAROSCOPIC REMOVAL OF A DERMOID CYST IN PREGNANCY - A CASE-REPORT, Journal of reproductive medicine, 40(11), 1995, pp. 797-799
BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy in pregnancy can endanger the fetus. It is now
being reexamined because of our experience with complex operative pro
cedures and new laparoscopic equipment. CASE: A decision was made to p
erform laparoscopy instead of laparotomy for a pelvic mass in a pregna
nt woman. The patient was admitted to the emergency room with a temper
ature of 38.9 degrees C and was 15(4/7) weeks pregnant. Over several h
ours she developed septic shock, with the blood pressure and white blo
od cell count dropping. Bedside ultrasound revealed a complex mass sus
picious for an abscess. A dermoid cyst was found and removed by pelvis
copic techniques. Blood cultures revealed typhoid fever, and the patie
nt responded to antibiotics. She runs discharged on the 10th postopera
tive day. CONCLUSlON: This case demonstrates the value of laparoscopy
in pregnancy not only for diagnosis but also for treatment. Laparoscop
y in pregnancy should be added to the armamentarium of the gynecologis
t.