[Extreme oedema of the ovaries: a contribution to conservative surgery for ovarian "tumours" (author's transl)].

A laparotomy for a suspected cystic ovarian tumour which was thought to extent as far as the costal arch, was carried out on a 24-year-old patient with a long history of oligomenorrhea and sterility. Due to excessive oedema, both ovaries were tremendously enlarged. The right ovary was twisted 360 degrees. No haemorrhagic infarct, however, was present. Both ovaries, which were about 40% of the normal size due to pressure from the oedema, were incized. The ovaries were than sutured and left in situ. Laparoscopy 9 weeks later confirmed that the ovaries had returned to a normal size. The patient's menstrual cycle became regular. Even though the process may be unusually extensive, conservative methods should be given preference when the patient is so young.