Ovarian cyst removal is the process of removing cysts from an ovary. Cysts that cause pain, suspected of being cancerous, twisted, solid and large need to be necessarily removed via surgery as they may lead to severe health problems.

Types of Surgery

The two available methods to remove ovarian cysts are open surgery and laparoscopic surgery.

The kind of surgery adopted for the ovarian cyst removal depends on the type of cyst as well as its current condition. Open surgery is preferred only if the cysts are very large in size.

Prior to Surgery

Prior to any of the surgery, your surgeon will do the basic tests like blood tests, physical exams, culdocentesis (removal of fluid from pelvic cavity), review of medications, electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG- an exam that records activity of heart), urine tests, X-ray of lower intestinal tract, lower abdomen and chest, CT scan and Ultrasound test that exam sound waves in abdomen.

Based on the condition, surgeon may send the removed tissue for further check up to the lab. If any cancer is identified then the affected ovary needs to be mandatorily removed. If cysts occur on both the ovaries then it is likely to remove both the ovaries. Based on the cyst condition and its type, laparoscopic surgery may be used for cyst removal, otherwise they are removed by open incision surgery. Once the cyst and tools are removed, openings are closed with clamps or stitches.

Laparoscopic Surgery

The other method for cyst removal is the Laparoscopic surgery. In this surgery, a small opening is made below the navel and through this opening laparoscopic is inserted, which is a lighted, thin tube. Abdomen will be filled up by carbon dioxide gas through pumping and this makes easier to view the parts inside for the surgeon. It is then used to find out the cyst located. Once the cysts are found, one or two small openings are made again and by using the surgical tools, cysts are removed.

Open Surgery

As far as the open surgery is concerned, a cut or an opening is made in the abdomen region, muscles in the abdomen are separated and later the abdomen is opened. The vessels that supply blood to the ovaries are located, compressed and tied and then the cysts are removed. Same as in the Laparoscopic surgery, the removed tissue is tested and if any cancer is found, ovaries are removed. After removing all the cysts, the opening made is closed with clamps or stitches.

Once the cysts are removed, medications and fluids are given, it will take one to two hours of time to carry out the entire procedure. Local Anesthesia is given to the patients during surgery so as to prevent pain.

Aftermaths of Surgery

Once the Laparoscopic surgery is done for the cyst removal, discomfort or abdominal pain may be observed for three to four days it occurs for seven to ten days, if they are removed by open surgery.