Size of a cyst

[nygirly]

Can you have a laparoscopy if your cyst is 10cm? My Dr. suspects a mucinous cystadenomas and wants to do a laparotomy but I'd like to avoid invasive surgery if possible.

[Toni128]

I think the advisability of laparoscopic surgery differs depending on the Dr you are speaking to.  It probably has to do with their comfort level, and the number of procedures they have done each way.  The size of my cyst (> 25 cm) definitely ruled out laparascopy, but the bagging of smaller cysts sounds reasonable.  What about if there is a suspicion that there may be growths elsewhere?  Doesn't the surgeon feel your intestines and colon etc. "while they're in there"?

[cyst0323]

I am 26 years old and have a cystadenoma that is 7.1 cm on my left ovary.  My main goal is to go with a procedure that ensure the highest percentage of saving my ovary. I have been to several doctors, one said he can do a laparatomy and save my ovary, the other doctors is an expert in laproscopy. He said that he could also possibly save my ovary. There is obviously no guarantee with either. Does anyone have any information on how open surgery may be more beneficial than laproscopic surgery? Aside to recovery time what are some other major advantages, disadvantages?

[Morrowville]

Isn't it grand that this forum exists for women to share their experiences?
It really helps to feel the connection to other women having similar situations.
I had a hyst/ooph in early April via open surgery, and the recovery of the wound was very fast, despite the fact that I am obese.  I truly valued the support I received, the info, the incouragement and the prayer.

Thank God for our forum!

Morrowville

[Patricia228]

I can certainly relate to what ireneo said.  My doc did the laparoscopic surgery expecting the cyst to be 8cm.  It turned out to be 13cm.  He also removed my ovary and falopian tube.  He removed it through a 1" incision by bagging it before removing it.  Although my stomach didn't show bruising, it sure hurts like it is.  My surgery was July 19 and I am still tender to the touch.  I'm not sure if that's from the carbon dioxide stretch, the poking and proding, or the adhesions.  There were adhesions on the cysts.....I found out that much....just don't know what it was attached to.  Hoping to find out more next week at my follow-up appointment.

[Tina509]

My cyst was 7 cm when the ultrasound was done one month before sugery. Both my surgeons said that they would start it with laproscopic and possibly have to do a laparotomy when I was under, so I would not know what I was waking up to. I did not have to have a laparotomy, but it actually turned out to be a solid mass of 12cm; however they said there was a lot of manipulation during the surgery.  There was a woman that went in for the same thing, the morning I was in. She was admitted next door to me and had a laparotomy. She was walking before me, so I think recovery time and how it goes all depends on the individual. I have a lot of bruising also.

[ireneo]

I'll add my 2 cents worth. I did have my 10 cm cyst, left ovary and tube removed in Feb. laparoscopically. My doctor told me she would try to do it that way but if they ran into problems or found other things, she would open me up. I don't know how she managed but I woke up with just 3 small incisions. I did have a whopper bruise on my stomach afterwards; even the doctor was impressed at the follow-up visit. But the surgery went well. The way she explained it to me was they bag the cyst and ovary before they remove it so no contents are spilled into the abdomen. I would have loved to see how they managed it all but glad I was asleep instead.

[nygirly]

Thank you everyone - I really appreciate your insights. The leakage issue is something my Dr mentioned as well. My surgery is next week so it helps to know other people have been through similar procedures and had positive results.

[Sharon2714]

oh i forgot this link

http://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC3233.HTM

love sharon

[constantlycurious]

We have heard conflicting things also and we met with a lot of Drs.

We have heard and met with a laparoscopy expert who says their team has taken out cysts that were 19 cm and also do full hysterectomy's laparoscopicly. The Dr stated they do 35-40 of these a week and that laparoscopic is hands down the way to go. That being said, the Dr said that most gynecologist would recommend to do an open surgery (laparotomy) since they are more comfortable to do it that way. Most gynecologist dont do surgeries on a daily basis.  The Dr stated there are no benefits for doing it via laparotomy. I even brought up the point of "looking around while you are in there" and he stated that is really a null point. That they will be able to see everything needed via a laparoscopy  and that a biopsy of the cyst is really what is important.

This Dr was a Gynecologic Oncology. Regardless if the cyst is cancerous from our research we found these Drs to have great feedback and they are experts not only on ovarian cysts, but also on the removal of cysts. They know surgery and know gynecology.

Just sharing my research, might be worth it to look up a  Gynecologic Oncology who does laparoscopy to see what they have to say.

[Sharon2714]

i agree with everyone above
mine ended up being 13 cm and 10 cm and i had laparotomy
my docs never even offered any other procedure and i got three opinions (well four if u count my first doc who was a family doc)
but really i wouldnt trade it for anything ... i have the peace of mind from the staging
surgery and it forced me to make positive lifestyle changes
i pray u will be well
love
sharon

[Toni128]

Hey nygirly (cool handle!)
I had a huge mucinous cyst removed via laparotomy, with a full midline incision.  It is my understanding that laparotomy is preferrable in these cases so there is absolutely no danger of leakage into the abdominal cavity (which can lead to worse complications).  It also allows them to have a good look around while they're in there.  Not what you wanted to hear, I know :-(  You could always get a second opinion?  
Good luck no matter what happens!
Toni

[Jaxsie]

I am new too and by no means an expert, but my doc told me that my cyst is 5cm, would be ok for laperoscopy, but if it grew any larger before my surgery it would need to be laperotomy.

best wishes

[TrudieC]

From what I've heard on this site most larger cysts do require a laparotomy and especially if they are types other than simple fluid filled which can be drained with a needle before extraction.   I had a laparotomy for my 16 cm cyst and had my right ovary and tube removed all with a vertical cut (due to previous surgeries) on June 6.  I feel fabulous now.  When are you booked for surgery?  I hope all goes well and that you will update us.