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	Symptoms and Diagnosis
	Types of Ovarian Cysts
	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
	Ovarian Cyst Treatments
—	Treatment with Oral Contraceptives
—	Cystectomy
—	Oophorectomy
—	Hysterectomy
	Ovulation Cycle

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Cystectomy and Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are sacs filled with fluids or pockets located on or in an ovary. In some cases, these cysts need to be removed surgically.

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Ovarian Cystectomy

When might an ovarian cystectomy be performed? A physician might recommend surgery if:

the cyst does not go away after several periods
the cyst has grown larger over several menstrual cycles
the cyst is causing you pain
the cyst is contributing to fertility problems
the cyst starts bleeding
the cyst shows signs of being cancerous.

Having ovarian cysts does not lead automatically to surgery. In most cases, ovarian cysts do not cause any problems and go away on their own. Your doctor might also choose to prescribe birth control pills to prevent ovulation. In some cases, another treatment can take the form of removing the fluids from the sac using a needle.

Having a Cystectomy

What is the procedure for having an ovarian cystectomy? You will usually be placed under general anesthesia for an operation that will last up to 60 minutes. Usually, surgery is done laparoscopically. Laparoscopy is a less invasive procedure than conventional surgery. If you have laparoscopic surgery, you will recover more quickly than if you were to have conventional, open surgery.

Unfortunately, your surgeon may not know until he or she is doing the surgery how much of a problem the cyst really is. If the ovarian cyst has affected your ovary too much, the whole ovary may have to be removed.

In addition, a biopsy will be performed on the cyst to check for cancer.

Side Effects of an Ovarian Cystectomy

Possible side effects of a cystectomy are similar to any type of surgery. Patients may experience problems with anesthesia, excessive bleeding or infection. In addition, you may need to take medication after the surgery to help control pain. It is important to understand the side effects of any operation before you go into surgery.

Recovery from a Cystectomy

Your recovery time from an ovarian cystectomy will vary according to whether you had conventional or laparoscopic surgery. If you have laparoscopic surgery, you can expect to be fully recovered in less than four weeks.

Ovarian Cystectomy: Preferred Surgery

Of the three types of surgery that are used to remove ovarian cysts, a cystectomy is usually the preferred surgery. A hysterectomy is used to remove the uterus, and in some cases, the ovaries and other parts of a reproductive system as well. An oophorectomy is the procedure that is used to remove one or both ovaries.

A cystectomy will not remove your ovaries, ensuring the production of important hormones such as estrogen. A cystectomy will not remove your uterus, which means you can still carry a baby. A cystectomy should not affect fertility at all.

Since a cystectomy does not require the removal of the uterus or ovaries, a cystectomy will not increase the risks of osteoporosis and will not induce early menopause. Therefore, patients will not have to consider hormonal replacement treatments.

Cystectomy: Prevention

Ovarian cysts are not preventable. However, having regular pelvic exams can help pinpoint a possible problem early so that the problem might be attacked and resolved without needing surgery. If you are having any symptoms that might be related to ovarian cysts, contact your physician for an examination as soon as possible.

Resources

Fairview. Laparoscopy for Ovarian Cystectomy. Retrieved June 20, 2007, from http://www.fairview.org/healthlibrary/content/
wha_lapovcys_wha.htm.

IVillage. Ovarian Cysts. Retrieved June 21, 2007, from http://obgyn.health.ivillage.com/uterineovarianhealth/
ovariancysts.cfmvNPA=1&sky=ysm|hco|ovariancysts|
ob|PPC4DAD|s&OVRAW=ovarian%20cyst20treatment&OVKEY=ovarian%20cyst%20treatment&OVMTC=
standard&OVADID=4972034511&OVKWID=21605297011.

Ovarian-Cysts.com. Ovarian Cyst Treatments. Retrieved June 21, 2007, from http://www.ovarian-cysts.com/articles/ovarian-cyst-treatments/index.php.

SGHHealth. Ovarian Cystectomy Your Questions Answered. Retrieved June 20, 2007, from http://www.sghhealth4u.com.sg/health4u/OBG/
ovariancystectomy.htm#top.

University of Michigan Health System. Laparoscopy for Ovarian Cystectomy. Retrieved June 20, 2007, from http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/wha/wha_lapovcys_crs.htm.

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