whenever an ovarian cyst is causing intense pain, is ruptured or twisted, large, solid, irregularly shaped, or suspected of being cancerous, removal of the cyst is recommended if not essential. Indeed, the chances of a cyst being cancerous will increase as patients get older. So the older you are the more chances are that you will require ovarian cyst removal.
Prior to undergoing an ovarian cyst removal procedure, a thorough physical examination is needed. Your doctor will review your current current medications, order routine tests of blood and urine, as well as request that X-rays and CT scan of the abdomen be done to confirm the diagnosis.
In order to remove an ovarian cyst, a doctor generally decides between laparoscopic or open surgery. This often depends on the patient and the type of ovarian cyst that is being removed. In the case of larger cysts, open surgery is often required.
In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision in which to insert a thin tube called a laparoscope. The tube is used to find the cyst and from there, the surgeon is able to remove the cyst.
For large ovarian cyst removal, surgery under general anesthesia may be needed. Patients may experience some pain in the abdomen after surgery. They also may experience such complications as infection or bleeding. It is important to understand that recurrence of ovarian cysts is possible. In a few rare cases, the patient may also experience infertility and blood clots.
If during the surgical operation to remove an ovarian cyst, no ovarian cancer is detected, then it is highly unlikely that there will be any other complications. The patient should be back to normal in a week or two after the surgery. However if ovarian cancer is found, the patient may need surgery to remove either one or both of the ovaries. After this procedure a treatment program for the ovarian cancer would need to be started.
After the removal of an ovarian cyst, it is important to notify your doctor if you have a fever or chills, excessive pain or bleeding, shortness of breath, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal swelling, vomiting, or any other signs of ill health. An ovarian cyst removal, like all other surgeries, must be closely monitored post-surgery but in all likelihood will have no further complications.
