MANAGEMENT OF ADNEXAL MASSES BY OPERATIVE LAPAROSCOPY

Study Objective. To assess the efficacy of operative laparoscopy to co nfirm the diagnosis of benign adnexal masses, and treat the lesions. D esign. Consecutive patients evaluated for this indication between Janu ary 1989 and December 1993, who met the inclusion criteria. Setting. T he lan Palfijn General Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium, and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Varese, Varese, Italy. Pat ients. One hundred twenty-one women with with a clinical, biochemical, and ultrasound diagnosis of benign adnexal mass. Interventions. Opera tive videolaparoscopy was carried out in all patients using the carbon dioxide or argon laser, electrical, or mechanical means. Measurements and Main Results. Depending on the patient's age and the appearance o f the adnexal mass aspirate, biopsy, cystectomy, or adnexectomy was pe rformed. The conversion rate to laparotomy was 2.4%. A pathologic diag nosis was made in all cases. In this series no malignancy was encounte red. Conclusion. Operative laparoscopy is safe and effective for treat ing adnexal masses provided that the preoperative diagnosis indicates that the lesions are benign.