Complications of laparoscopic surgery for benign ovarian cysts

Study Objective. To assess complications of laparoscopic surgery in the man agement of ovarian cysts. Design. Prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification 11-2). Setting. University-affiliate hospital. Patients. Consecutive patients (513) undergoing laparoscopic surgery for ov arian cysts not suspected to be malignant. Intervention. Laparoscopic surge ry. Measurements and Main Results. A total of 587 ovarian cysts were removed fr om 513 women. Conversion to laparotomy was necessary in five cases (<1%). M ean +/- SD cyst diameter was 5.5 +/- 2.9 cm, with endometriomas (44.5%) and dermoids (24.3%) being the two most common pathologies; 6.6% were function al. Mean +/- SD operating time was 69 +/- 31 minutes, and hospital stay and postoperative convalescence was 2.6 +/- 1.5 and 14.3 +/- 9.6 days, respect ively. The overall complication rate was 13.3%. Major complications occurre d in three patients (0.6%): one small bowel injury and two ureter injuries. Cannula site complications were five inferior epigastric vessel injuries a nd four incisional hernias at the 10-mm lateral port site. Conclusion. Laparoscopic ovarian surgery was associated with 13.3% complica tions, with 0.6% being major. Careful patient selection and proper surgical training are critical to ensure safe performance of laparoscopy.