laproscopic vs laprotomy

[bearx2]

Hi again Ladies.  I'm curious....why would some dr's do a laproscopic surgery to remove a 10cm tumor and some do a laprotomy?  My dr said she was gonig to do a laproscopic surgery, but there was a chance that when she got in there, she had to switch it up.  She's removing the tumor as well as my left ovary and tube.  Would it be better to just do the laporotmy to start with?  I know i've spelled everything wrong, typing fast...  :)

[jen898]

I had 2 cysts, one was 15cm, the other was 9cm at the time of surgery.  I did have laparotomy because it was necessary but she did try for laproscopy.  Her plan was to drain them, then pull them out in the bag which is why I think they can get those things out that little hole.  So I have the laproscopy incision from my belly button, then the laparotomy incision.  I think it may depend on what the cysts is made up of also.  I would definitely want them to try laproscopic first rather than going straight for the laparotomy,

[midwest_hiker]

Cheryl,

I would get a second opinion as well.   I have always thought they did the bikini line because you heal better.  I can't imagine why they would go the other way.  I saw 2 doctors before I scheduled my surgery.

Good Luck!

[CherBH]

Good question. I wish I had the answer myself! I have a 7 cm complex cyst on the LT ovary and a 2 cm on the RT, (that are growing) and just 2 small uterine fibroids and my gyn/onc wants to do a complete hysterectomy thru an abdominal (vertical) incision (not even the bikini line). I keep reading about "bagging" the cyst and "freezing" it in order to test for cancer first, but for some reason, she insists on the whole kaboodle!  ;)  She says she doesn't want to take any chances with spilling cells in to the abd. cavity and has given me a 50/50 chance of having OCA. Not sure if that is high or not, as the way I see it, there is still a 50% chance of NOT having it.  ;)   I am so confused at this point, I decided to get a 2nd. opinon. Sorry I couldn't be of more help  ;)   ...hope you find your answer here.  
God bless...
Cheryl

[TrudieC]

10 cm is on the cusp of too big for laparoscopic removal so some can and some can't come out that way.  You are in good hands with your doctor planning to approach in the manner they are.

[ireneo]

I had my 10 cm cyst removed laparascopically. I'm not sure how they get it out of there. Wish I could have seen it but that means I would have been awake. Not a good choice. With mine, all I know is they bagged it and removed it so nothing would leak into the abdomen. True - I had an amazing bruise on my belly after they were done but that's better than the large incision. A lot will depend on what they find when they get in there - position, adhesions, content of the cyst/tumor. Just be prepared either way.

[bearx2]

interesting.  Well, i was curious because i keep hearing everyone talking about doing a laprotomy instead of a laproscopic surg.  So, I wondered, being that mine is so big....why they would even attempt to do the laproscopic.  Isn't a 10cm tumor fairly big?  how do they get it out of that little hole?  :)

[Jaxsie]

Hello again- I was told that they try for a laprascopic as this is the least invasive, but sometimes when they get in they can't do it that way- depends what they find and how things might have fused (if they have) and then if needed they will switch to a laparotomy. You definately want the laprascopic if possible as the recovery is much quicker - but obviously if they need to switch over then they will do that.
My doc originally planned to remove my ovary and the cyst together but didnt need to when they got inside.

best wishes