Operative treatment of benign ovarian tumours in adolescent patients: laparotomy or laparoscopy?

Abstract

Summary The aim: The aim of the study was a retrospective analysis of operative procedures, laparoscopy or laparotomy, carried out in cases of benign adolescent ovarian tumours. Material and methods: A retrospective review of 109 patient charts with ovarian tumours, who had undergone surgical interventions at The Department of Surgical Gynaecology and Endoscopy of The Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital – Research Institute in Lodz – has been conducted. Among groups of girls treated either with laparoscopy or laparotomy, the following parameters were analysed: age of the patients, character of the tumour (based on the pathological result), size of the lesion, type of the surgical procedure, duration of the hospitalisation and postoperative complications. Results: 109 girls had ovarian tumours operated – 54 times laparoscopy and 55 laparotomy times were performed. An average age of patients who underwent laparoscopy was 16,2 years, in case of laparotomy: 15,3 years (p>0,05). An average size of tumours excised in laparotomy was 82 mm (60-190mm), whereas in laparoscopy 64 mm (30-80mm) (p>0,05). The most common laparotomic procedure was the ovarian cystectomy (63%) and cystovariectomy (32%), while during laparoscopy the cystectomy was performed in 92% (p>0,05). Duration of the laparoscopy was shorter, average was 46,7 min, whereas mean time of laparotomy was 49,2 min (p>0,05). Also duration of postoperative hospitalisation was longer in case of laparotomy, its average time was 5,4 days in comparison with laparoscopy - 2,8 days (p<0,05). Conclusions: Laparoscopy performed in adolescents due to benign ovarian tumours seems to be a very safe way of the surgical treatment. Moreover, laparoscopy reduces duration of hospitalisation and convalescence, also giving a nice cosmetic effect.