TREATMENT OF NONENDOMETRIOTIC BENIGN ADNEXAL CYSTS - A RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF LAPAROSCOPY AND LAPAROTOMY

Objective: To compare laparoscopy and laparotomy in the management of benign adnexal cysts, with particular attention to postoperative conva lescence. Methods: Forty premenopausal, nonpregnant women, 18-40 years of age and without acute pelvic symptoms, were scheduled to undergo s urgical management of anechoic, unilateral, unilocular, persistent adn exal cysts from January 1993 through June 1994 at the Department of Ob stetrics and Gynecology of the University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy . After ultrasonographic examination, followed by the completion of 6 months' expectant management with repeat ultrasonographic evaluations, subjects were randomized to undergo operative laparoscopy (n = 20) or laparotomy (n = 20). The patients were reviewed postoperatively at th e outpatient clinic at 15, 30, 90, and 180 days. The intensity of pain was assessed by completion of a visual analogue scale on the day of s urgery and 1, 2, and 3 days postoperatively, and the results of the tw o groups were compared. We also compared the proportions of patients w ho were analgesic-free on day 2, discharged from hospital within 3 day s, and feeling fully recuperated on day 15. Results: The intensity of postoperative pain was significantly lower (P < .05) in the operative laparoscopy group than in the laparotomy group. A significantly higher (P < .05) proportion of the laparoscopy patients was analgesic-free o n day 2, discharged from the hospital within 3 days, and feeling fully recuperated on postoperative day 15. Conclusion: After careful patien t evaluation, management of anechoic, unilocular adnexal cysts by oper ative laparoscopy significantly reduces both the intensity of postoper ative pain and the length of convalescence compared with laparotomy.