Laparoscopic Treatment of Benign Ovarian Dermoid Cysts

Forty-four women underwent laparoscopic surgery for treatment of 49 benign dermoid cysts in 1992 and 1993. Four patients presented with bilateral ovarian masses and one patient had two teratomas within one ovary. In the majority of cases (78.9%) the correct diagnosis was made preoperatively by pelvic examination and vaginal ultrasound. The average tumor size was 5.5 cm, ranging from 1 to 11 cm. Preservation of the ovary was achieved in most cases (40/81.6%). Uni- or bilateral adnexectomy was the treatment of choice in all postmenopausal women (5); in the remaining four patients salpingo-oophorectomy was performed due to torsion of a cyst (1), extensive adhesions (1) and large tumor size (2). CA 19-9 levels were elevated in 11 out of 20 patients, reaching a maximum value of 3,400 U/ml. No severe complications were encountered: two patients developed fever postoperatively, one of whom was suspected of having a chemical granulomatous peritonitis. We conclude that laparoscopic management of benign dermoid cysts is safe and effective and can therefore be highly recommended.