Surgical treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts: a clinical evaluation between vaginal and laparoscopic removal

Kim, Jong Woon; Park, Sang Hyun; Kang, Woo Dae; Kim, Ki Min; Kim, Seok Mo; Oh, Sung Taek; Choi, Ho Sun

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to compare the results between vaginal and laparoscopic removal for surgical treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts.
METHODS
This retrospective study was performed in 228 patients, who underwent vaginal (Group A: 159) or laparoscopic (Group B: 69) removal of ovarian dermoid cysts between January 1998 and May 2004. The vaginal removal was performed after reduction of mass size by suction of its contents, and laparoscopic removals with Lapbag(R).
RESULTS
The mean age was 37.7 +/- 9.7 years in Group A and 30.5 +/- 9.2 years in Group B. The number of patients had a previous abdominal open surgery was 30 (17.8%) in Group A and 15 (21.7%) in Group B. The mean diameter of the ovarian dermoid cysts was 6.1 +/- 2.1 cm in Group A and 5.7 +/- 2.0 cm in Group B. The differences between preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin was 1.8 +/- 1.4 g/dL in Group A and 1.5 +/- 0.8 g/dL in Group B (p<0.05). Operating time was 34 +/- 16 minutes in Group A and 82 +/- 36 minutes in Group B (p<0.01). The number of patients had febrile morbidity (greater than 38 degrees C 24h after surgery) was 3 (1.7%) in Group A and 2 (2.8%) in Group B. The feeling of satisfaction was very high in both groups.
CONCLUSION
Both vaginal and laparoscopic removal of ovarian dermoid cysts are useful and effective treatment. However, the vaginal removal have cheap hospital expenses, shorter operating time, and no surgical trauma on abdominal wall. So, it have great advantages compare with laparoscopic removal. Vaginal removal can be considered a useful alternative procedure.