STUDY OBJECTIVE:

To assess complications of laparoscopic surgery in the management of ovarian cysts.

DESIGN:

Prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING:

University-affiliated hospital.

PATIENTS:

Consecutive patients (513) undergoing laparoscopic surgery for ovarian cysts not suspected to be malignant.

INTERVENTION:

Laparoscopic surgery.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

A total of 587 ovarian cysts were removed from 513 women. Conversion to laparotomy was necessary in five cases (<1%). Mean +/- SD cyst diameter was 5.5+/-2.9 cm, with endometriomas (44. 5%) and dermoids (24.3%) being the two most common pathologies; 6.6% were functional. Mean +/- SD operating time was 69+/-31 minutes, and hospital stay and postoperative convalescence was 2.6+/-1.5 and 14.3 +/-9.6 days, respectively. The overall complication rate was 13.3%. Major complications occurred in three patients (0.6%): one small bowel injury and two ureter injuries. Cannula site complications were five inferior epigastric vessel injuries and four incisional hernias at the 10-mm lateral port site.

CONCLUSION:

Laparoscopic ovarian surgery was associated with 13.3% complications, with 0.6% being major. Careful patient selection and proper surgical training are critical to ensure safe performance of laparoscopy.