abdominal incision (laparotomy) for large cyst

[teamya]

Hi dear,
First of all, very nice to meet you! I am 23 years old and diagnosis with ovarian cysts. I am really thankful that I found this site and ask women who have health problem similar to mine.
My doctor found one large dermoid cyst (9 by 9 by 5 cm) on my left ovary and one smaller dermoid cyst (3 by 2.5 by 2.5 cm) on right ovary. Both cysts are probably not cancerous.
The doctor suggested an abdominal incision (laparotomy) due to the size of the cyst on my left ovary and she might have to remove the ovary with the cyst because there is no more ovarian tissue on my left ovary. The CT scan report said, “A normal appearing left ovary is not identified.”
However, I am very conservative about the abdominal incision and the ovary removal. How certain the doctor knows that I don’t have any more ovarian tissue left? I read a book it said:
“Even for large cysts - those that are more than 3 inches (similar size to my cyst) in diameter - normal ovarian tissue can almost always be saved. Remember that the ovaries contain hundreds of thousands of eggs, so that the loss of a small number should not make a difference in your fertility, your hormone levels or the age at which your menopause will begin. Very rarely, if a cyst has destroyed all the normal ovarian tissue, it may be necessary to remove the entire ovary, although even in these cases we try to save some of the ovary.”
Question 1: Can my left ovary be saved even thought the size of the cyst is large? (I know that I can get pregnant with one ovary. But I still want to have two ovaries if that is possible.)
Question 2: What is the benefit to have abdominal incision for my situation? What is the best option for me? I don’t want to leave scar on my tummy and I have never had a surgery like this before.

Thank you very much!!

Sincerely, teamya

[gma718]

Hi...I had a laparotomy because my cysts were too large to be taken out any other way...you will unfortunately have a scar...but I dont think there is any other way for them to remove the cysts...I am not sure about leaving the ovary there...I would seek a second opinion before I would do anything anyway...Good luck...Gia :)

[cysticbelle]

I had a endometrioma that was 9 cm.  I had a laparatomy of 4-30. They were able to leave the ovary. I am going to take Lupron for 6 months to give my ovaries a rest.  Make sure you emphasize to your doctor your desire to keep the ovary.