Many women may develop an ovarian cyst at some point in their lives. Sometimes these cysts develop without any problems and go away on their own . But sometimes, if these cysts get bigger, cause pain, or cause other problems, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove them. This is what we call an ovarian cystectomy. So, today we will talk about this in a simple way that will answer all your questions.
Simply put, what is Ovarian Cystectomy?
Simply put, an ovarian cystectomy is the surgical removal of a cyst or cysts that have formed on your ovary. An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on the surface of the ovary. These are actually very common. However, your doctor will only recommend removing it if the cyst doesn't go away on its own , is getting bigger, or is causing you pain.
What are the main methods of performing this surgery?
Doctors use two main methods to remove ovarian cysts: keyhole surgery and open surgery. Your doctor will decide which surgery you need based on a number of factors, including the size and nature of your cyst, and your overall health.
| Surgical method | The way and nature of doing things |
|---|---|
| Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy | This involves making several very small incisions (like keyholes) in the abdomen, inserting a camera (laparoscope) through one of them, and removing the tumor through other incisions using surgical instruments. This does not leave a large scar, is less painful, and can heal quickly. |
| Open Surgery (Open Cystectomy / Laparotomy) | If the tumor is very large, or if there is a suspicion that it may be cancerous, the doctor will choose this method. Here, the tumor is removed through a slightly larger incision in the lower abdomen. This requires a slightly longer hospital stay and takes longer to heal. |
Most of the time, doctors try to do keyhole surgery because it's easier for you. However, sometimes, going for open surgery is the safest option.
What causes ovarian cysts?
There is no single reason for this. Several factors may be involved.
- Hormonal imbalances: Especially conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Ovulation: Some cysts can develop during the normal ovulation process. Some fertility medications can also cause them.
- Endometriosis: This is the growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus, especially in the ovaries.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
- Cancer: This is very rare, however. Most ovarian cysts are not cancerous.
What happens during the surgery?
This surgery is performed under general anesthesia , meaning you are completely asleep. The anesthesiologist will insert a cannula (IV) into your vein and administer the necessary medications and fluids through it.
After you are asleep, the surgeon will begin the operation. In a keyhole surgery, a small incision is made in the abdomen and a camera is inserted. The abdomen is then inflated with a small amount of carbon dioxide gas to see better. Then, surgical instruments are inserted through two or three more small incisions and the tumor is carefully removed. Sometimes the tumor is sent for a biopsy to see if it is cancerous.
Finally, the abdomen is deflated, the incisions are closed with a type of dissolvable thread, and a plaster is applied. This is the same as in open surgery, but through one large incision.
What to expect after surgery?
After the surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room. You may feel some pain and discomfort when you wake up. Especially if you had keyhole surgery, you may feel some pain in your shoulders due to the gas in your stomach. But the doctor will give you the necessary painkillers for that.
- If you had keyhole surgery (Laparoscopy) , you can often go home the same day within a few hours.
- If you had open surgery (laparotomy) , you will need to stay in the hospital for a day or two.
It is very important for a speedy recovery to follow the instructions given by the doctor when you go home.
Your doctor will explain things like this to you:
- How to care for a cut.
- When can I take a bath?
- When can I start doing normal activities, such as lifting weights?
- The day I have to come back to the clinic.
- When can I start having sex again?
- When can I go back to work?
What are the benefits and risks of this surgery?
Advantages
The main benefit is the removal of a tumor that is causing pain or that could become a problem in the future. If these tumors remain, they can sometimes cause complications. For example:
- Ruptured ovarian cyst: This can cause sudden, severe abdominal pain.
- Ovarian torsion: The weight of the tumor can twist the ovary, cutting off its blood supply. This is also a painful emergency.
Surgery helps prevent things like this.
Risks
Like any surgery, there are some risks, but these are very rare.
- Infection of the incision wound.
- Excessive bleeding during or after surgery.
- Allergy to anesthesia.
- Blood clots in the legs.
- Damage to surrounding organs (such as intestines, bladder).
- Tumor recurrence.
- Very rarely, if the ovary is damaged during tumor removal, it may also need to be removed (oophorectomy).
Your risk may be slightly higher if you have other medical conditions (such as diabetes or obesity) or if you smoke. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor your complete health history before surgery .
How long does it take to recover? Does it affect having children?
The recovery time depends on what surgery you have.
- After keyhole surgery (Laparoscopy) , you can usually recover completely within one to three weeks .
- After an open surgery (laparotomy) , it can take six to eight weeks , sometimes even longer.
Now, a question that many people have is whether this will affect your ability to have children. Usually, this surgery itself will not affect your fertility. However, the reason why you have ovarian cysts (e.g., Endometriosis, PCOS) may affect your ability to have children. Also, very rarely, if the ovary or fallopian tube is damaged during the surgery, it may affect it. If you have any doubts about this, talk to your doctor openly.
What are the emergencies that require seeing a doctor?
If you experience any of the following symptoms after your surgery, notify your doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
- If the incision is red, swollen, oozing pus, or is in extreme pain.
- Burning or pain when urinating, or an inability to urinate.
- Unbearable, severe stomach pain.
- Swelling, pain, or stiffness in the legs.
- Fever or feeling unwell.
- Excessive vaginal bleeding.
Take-Home Message
- Ovarian cysts are a common condition among women. Not all cysts require surgery.
- Laparoscopy is a less painful and less invasive procedure that can heal quickly. Open surgery is only needed in complex cases.
- It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly before and after surgery.
- This surgery rarely affects fertility, but the underlying medical condition that caused the cysts to form may.
- If you develop signs of infection (fever, pain at the incision, swelling), excessive bleeding, or severe pain after surgery, seek medical advice immediately.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න