SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF OVARIAN DERMOID CYSTS

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy and to compare the surgical course, post-surgical course and particul arly post-surgical pain of the laparoscopic and laparotomic methods. S tudy design: We conducted a surgical study on dermoid cysts at the Gyn ecology Department of Siena University between I January 1992 and 31 D ecember 1996. The selected cases were randomized into two groups based on surgical approach: via laparotomy (n=22) or laparoscopy (n=22). Su rgical times, estimated blood loss, post-surgical pain, time in hospit al, speed of recovery and complications were compared. Results: Mean b lood loss was significantly less for laparoscopy (58.64+/-30.17 mi ver sus 103.84+/-38.45 mi, P<0.05). Mean hospitalization was 6.32+/-1.09 d ays for laparotomy and 3.18+/-0.39 days for laparoscopy (P<0.05). Post -surgical pain was significantly less in laparoscopy patients (P<0.05) . The laparoscopic technique had fewer post-surgical complications. Co nclusions: The laparoscopic approach had many advantages. Laparoscopy should be the elective treatment for women with dermoid cysts, because it has many advantages for the patient and lower costs for the nation al health system. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights re served.