Ovarian Cyst Removal—Open Surgery
Definition
This is surgery to remove a cyst on an ovary .
Ovarian Cyst
Reasons for Procedure
An ovarian cyst may need to be removed if it is:
- Suspected of being cancer (the chances are lower if you are young)
- Large (more than 2.5 inches in diameter)
- Solid (rather than containing just fluid)
- Causing pain
Possible Complications
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an ovarian cyst removed, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Cyst returns after it is removed
- Need for removal of one or both ovaries
- Infertility
- Blood clots
- Damage to other organs
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
- Obesity
- Chronic or recent illness
- Heavy use of alcohol , smoking , or use of narcotics (may make delivering anesthesia more difficult or impair wound healing)
- Use of certain prescription medicines
- Pregnancy
- Previous abdominal surgery
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
Your doctor may do the following:
- Physical exam
- Review of medicines
- Blood tests
- Urine test
- CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of organs
- Ultrasound —a test that uses sound waves to examine the abdomen
- Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle
Talk to your doctor about what action should be taken if cancer is found during surgery. One option is to remove the ovary.
Leading up to the surgery:
-
Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:
- Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs
- Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital. Also, arrange for someone to help you at home.
- Do not eat or drink for at least eight hours before the surgery.
Anesthesia
- General anesthesia —blocks pain and keeps you asleep through the surgery; given through an IV in your hand or arm
Description of the Procedure
The doctor will make a cut in the abdomen. The abdominal muscles will be separated, and the abdomen will be opened. The doctor will locate, clamp, and tie the blood vessels that supply the ovary. Next, the cyst will be removed. In some case, the doctor will also remove a sample of tissue for testing. If cancer is found, one or both ovaries (if cysts are on both ovaries) may be removed . Lastly, the doctor will use stitches to sew the abdominal muscles. The incision area will be closed with stitches or staples.
Immediately After Procedure
After the procedure, you will be given IV fluids and medicines while recovering.
How Long Will It Take?
1-2 hours
Will It Hurt?
You will have abdominal pain and discomfort for 7-10 days. Your doctor will give you pain medicine.
Average Hospital Stay
3-4 days
Post-procedure Care
Recovery may take 3-4 weeks. When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
- Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions .
- Shower normally.
- Gently wash the incision area with mild soap and water.
- Move and elevate your legs while in bed. This will lessen the chance of blood clots .
- Take prescription pain medicine only for as long as needed. Take over-the-counter pain relievers (eg, ibuprofen , naproxen ) if the pain is mild.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 2-6 weeks.
- Do not drive until your doctor states this is safe.
- Do not resume sexual activity until your doctor says it is okay. You may need to wait two weeks.
- Follow your doctor's guidelines for ultrasound tests. These may need to be done if it is likely that the cysts will return.
Call Your Doctor
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
- Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
- Increased vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Cough , shortness of breath, or chest pain
- Nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medicines you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
- Headaches, muscle aches, dizziness, or general ill feeling
- Constipation or abdominal swelling
- Vomiting
- Urinary difficulties
- Onset of pain or swelling in one or both legs
- New, unexplained symptoms
In case of an emergency, CALL 911 .
RESOURCES:
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/
National Uterine Fibroids Foundation
http://www.nuff.org/
Women's Health.gov
http://www.womenshealth.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/
Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/
References:
Ovarian cysts. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovarian-cysts/DS00129/DSECTION=7 . Updated July 20, 2007. Accessed June 10, 2008.
Pelvic laparoscopy. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002916.htm . Updated February 2008. Accessed September 11, 2009.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.