THE SAFETY OF LAPAROSCOPIC TREATMENT FOR OVARIAN DERMOID TUMORS

Whilst laparoscopic surgery has largely replaced laparotomy as the sta ndard surgical option for the management of benign ovarian cysts, conc ern remains regarding the safety of laparoscopy for benign cystic tera tomas. This is based on a higher rate of cyst content spillage compare d to laparotomy and the known sequelae of chemical peritonitis and gra nuloma formation. We present 18 cases of laparoscopic dermoid cystecto my with recommendations for specimen removal from the peritoneal cavit y. Our findings together with evidence from the literature confirms th e safety of laparoscopy for the treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts.