How do you prepare for ovarian cystectomy? (Preoperative)

• You will be asked to undergo  blood tests, X-rays, MRI, EKG, and medical and anesthesia clearance tests
• You will be asked by your doctor to quit smoking and stop blood thinning medicines, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
• You may be asked to go into alcohol withdrawal days before the surgery to avoid life-threatening complications like seizures or tremors
• You will be asked to stop eating and drinking after midnight before the day of operation

What happens during ovarian cystectomy? (During the procedure)

Ovarian cyst removal can be done in two ways:

• Open surgery
• Laparoscopic surgery

• Laparoscopic surgery:
  

Laparoscopic surgery, also known as key hole surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique. In laparoscopic method, only the ovarian cyst is removed by preserving the ovarian tissue or ovaries. The laparoscopic method is also helpful in the confirmation of the presence of ovarian cysts. You will be subjected to general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia intravenously for sedation.

The surgeon will then make three or four small incisions in the abdomen to insert the laparoscope and other surgical instruments to remove the cysts. A laparoscope with a video camera at its end is inserted into one of the incisions to view the internal organs on a monitor in the operating room. The images displayed on the monitor will help the surgeon to guide the surgical instruments to the exact location of the ovarian cyst.

Once that is done, the cyst is separated from the healthy ovarian tissue and removed. If the cyst involves the whole ovary, it may not be possible to separate the cyst alone, necessitating the removal of the ovary. Sometimes, if a cyst cannot be  removed completely then either partial removal or aspiration is done. After the completion of the laparoscopic procedure, the incisions are sewed with dissolvable stitches.

• Open surgery:

If the laparoscopic removal is not possible due to adhesions or other problems encountered during the surgery -when the cyst is very large or if there is a suspicion of cancer, an open surgery is needed to be performed.

What can you expect after Ovarian Cystectomy? (Postoperative)

You may experience a small amount of vaginal spotting or bleeding

You may have soreness in your abdomen (belly) area

You may take a shower or bath 2 days after your surgery

You may return to work when you feel ready (usually about 2 days after your surgery).

You should avoid getting into a hot tub or jacuzzi for 2 weeks (14 days) after your laparoscopy

You will be asked to avoid strenuous activity like lifting, running and jumping for six weeks

What are the potential risks associated with ovarian cyst removal? (RISKS)

Possible complications of ovarian cyst removal include bleeding, a blood clot, or an infection. Your surgeon will probably try to preserve your ovaries so you can have children, but this may not always be possible. You should call your doctor if you show any of the following symptoms:

• Stomach pain
• High temperature
• Red or painful skin around the scars
• Burning or stinging when you pass urine
• Pain, swelling, or redness.

Lifestyle changes

You will be instructed not to insert anything into the vagina for some weeks. This includes tampons, douches, and sexual intercourse

You will be advised to have light liquids and light foods, such as apple juice, ginger ale, ice pops, soup, crackers, and toast to help prevent an upset stomach

Key Terminologies:

Ovarian Cysts: Ovarian cysts are fluid filled sacs that are formed in the ovaries and surrounded by a thin layer. Any ovarian follicle that is bigger than 3 centimetre is considered to be an ovarian cyst.