An ovarian cyst, is a sac, usually filled with fluid, arising from the ovary. Ovarian cysts are mostly harmless, causing little or no comfort, and go away without treatment within a few months. But sometimes, they can become twisted or burst open (rupture), leading to serious health symptoms.
Broadly classified as Benign, Borderline and Malignant, Ovarian cysts are of several types namely functional, haemorrhagic, simple, endometriosis, dermoid etc, all of which can be operated laparoscopically.
Most cysts come and go on their own. However, large ones may cause dull aches or sharp pains in the area below your belly button toward one side, fullness or heaviness in your belly or bloating, irregular cycles, heavy bleeding.
Laproscopic Cysectomy has been regarded as a standard procedure in the removal of ovarian cysts, after a thorough inspection of the nature of the cyst through an ultrasound of the abdomen, pelvis and blood test for CA125 is done. During the procedure, the cyst can be removed laproscopically by placing it in an endobag, irrespective of its size.
Depending on the patient’s age, the type and size of the cyst, treatment options vary :
Wait and Watch: One can wait and re-examine to see if the cyst goes away after a few months. This is typically an option — regardless of the age — if you have no symptoms and an ultrasound shows you have a small, fluid-filled cyst. OCP’s can be given for 3 – 6 months and rescan done at the end of the treatment.
Surgery: Some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary (cystectomy). In some cases, the ovary with the cyst is removed (oophorectomy), if its found or suspected to be cancerous.
