What is Ovarian Cystectomy

Ovarian cystectomy is a procedure that is done to remove a fluid-filled sac (cyst) on an ovary. The ovaries are small organs that produce eggs in women. Various types of cysts can form on the ovaries.

Most are not cancerous. This procedure may be done for cysts that are large, cause symptoms, or do not go away on their own. It may also be done for a cyst that is cancerous or might be cancerous.

This surgery can be done using a laparoscopic technique or an open abdominal technique. The laparoscopic technique involves smaller incisions and results in a faster recovery time. The technique used will depend on your age, the type of cyst that you have, and whether the cyst is cancerous. The laparoscopic technique is not used for a cancerous cyst.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with the use of anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Excessive bleeding.
• Infection.
• Damage to other structures or organs.
• Blood clots.
• Inability get pregnant (infertility).

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating and drinking everything except clear liquids.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
• 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

Medicines

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.

General instructions

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes, for 2 weeks before the procedure. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
• Plan to have someone help with household activities for 1–2 weeks after the procedure.
• You may be asked to shower with a germ-killing soap.
• Let your health care provider know if you develop a cold or any infection before your surgery.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
  • Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
• An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
• Small monitors will be attached to your body. They will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, and oxygen level.
• A breathing tube will be placed into your lungs during the procedure.
• Your surgeon will use one of the following methods to perform the surgery:

Laparoscopic technique

• Several small incisions will be made in your abdomen. These will typically be about 1½ to 2 cm long.
• Your abdomen will be filled with carbon dioxide gas to make it expand. This will give the surgeon more room to operate. It will also make your organs easier to see.
• A thin, lighted tube with a camera (laparoscope) will be put through one of the small incisions. The laparoscope will send a picture to a TV screen in the operating room. This will give the surgeon a good view of your organs.
• Hollow tubes will be put through the other small incisions in your abdomen. The tools needed for the procedure will be put through these tubes.
• The ovary with the cyst will be identified, and the cyst will be removed. It will then be sent to the lab for testing. If the cyst has cancer cells, both ovaries may need to be removed during a different surgery.
• Tools will be removed. The incisions will then be closed with stitches or skin glue. Bandages (dressings) may be applied.

Open abdominal technique

• A single, large incision will be made along your bikini line or in the middle of your lower abdomen.
• The ovary with the cyst will be identified, and the cyst will be removed. It will then be sent to the lab for testing. If the cyst has cancer cells, both ovaries may need to be removed during a different surgery.
• The incision will then be closed with stitches or staples.
• Bandages (dressings) may be applied.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• Your IV access will be removed after you are able to eat and drink well.
• You may be given medicine for pain or to help you sleep.
• You may be given an antibiotic medicine.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.

Summary

• Ovarian cystectomy is a procedure that is done to remove a cyst on an ovary.
• This procedure may be done for cysts that are large, cause symptoms, or do not go away on their own. It may also be done for a cyst that is cancerous or might be cancerous.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking before the procedure.
• After the cyst is removed, it will be sent to the lab for testing.

Ovarian Cystectomy, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Pain in your abdomen, especially at the incision areas. You will be given pain medicines to control the pain.
• Tiredness. This is a normal part of the recovery process. Your energy level will return to normal over the next several weeks.
• Problems passing stool (constipation).

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, use it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Do not take aspirin because it can cause bleeding.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incisions. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Check your incision areas every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Take showers instead of baths.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities and diet as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Take rest breaks during the day as needed.
• Do not drive until your health care provider approves.

General instructions

• Do not douche, use tampons, or have sexual intercourse until your health care provider says it is okay to do so.
• To prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:
  • Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
  • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
  • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You feel nauseous or you vomit.
• You have pain when you urinate or have blood in your urine.
• You have a rash on your body.
• You have pain or redness where the IV was inserted.
• You have pain that is not relieved with medicine.
• You have signs of infection, such as:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain around your incisions.
  • Fluid or blood coming from your incisions.
  • An incision that feels warm to the touch.
  • Pus or a bad smell coming from your incisions.

Get help right away if:

• You have chest pain or shortness of breath.
• You feel dizzy or light-headed.
• You have increasing abdominal pain that is not relieved with medicines.
• You have pain, swelling, or redness in your leg.
• Your incision is opening (the edges are not staying together).

Summary

• After the procedure, it is common to have some pain in your abdomen. You will be given pain medicines to control the pain.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incisions.
• Do not douche, use tampons, or have sexual intercourse until your health care provider says it is okay to do so.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.