LAPAROSCOPIC ADNEXAL SURGERY DURING PREGNANCY

Adnexal masses diagnosed in a gravid woman sometimes must be surgicall y evaluated and treated during the pregnancy. A laparoscopic approach may have several advantages over laparotomy, but only one case of lapa roscopic adnexal surgery during pregnancy has been previously reported . Two pregnant patients with acute pelvic pain and adnexal masses were treated by operative laparoscopy. One patient had a large benign cyst ic teratoma and the other had torsion of the fallopian tube secondary to a paratubal cyst. Cystectomies were performed in both women, and in the second patient the tube was reduced and conserved. It appears tha t with proper care of surgical technique and caution to exclude malign ancy, laparoscopy may be performed successfully to remove adnexal mass es during the second trimester of pregnancy.