Comparative study of laparoscopy vs. laparotomy for adnexal surgery: efficacy, safety, and cyst rupture

Operative laparoscopy is becoming routine in gynecologic surgery. This study was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy and laparotomy for ovarian cystectomy and adnexectomy. The medical records of 32 patients who underwent operative laparoscopy for adnexal masses (group L) were reviewed and compared with those of 32 patients who underwent surgical laparotomy (group S) for similar indications. All patients sustained either an ovarian cystectomy or adnexectomy. The group were matched for age, weight, and history of previous laparotomy. Median operating time for group L was 90 min and for group S was 85 min. Blood loss was significantly less in group L (33.4 +/- 22 mL) than in group S (84.6 +/- 22.2 mL), p < 0.0001. There were two intraoperative complications in group L and one in group S. Significantly less patients in group L had postoperative fevers (16%) as compared with those in group S (69%), p < 0.0001. There was a higher incidence of cyst rupture when cystectomy was performed in patients from group L (7 of 21) as compared with patients from group S (2 of 17). No such difference in cyst rupture was noted when an adnexectomy was affected in group L (1 of 11) and group S (1 of 15). Patients in group L remained in the hospital a shorter time period, 1.5 +/- 0.8 days, than patients in group S, 4.7 +/- 0.9 days, p < 0.0001. Patients in group L required a shorter postoperative recovery time before resuming normal activities, 9.1 +/- 6.6 days, than patients in group L, 27.5 +/- 9.2 days, p < 0.0001. Similarly, patients in group L required less time to become pain free, 10.1 +/- 7.4 days, than patients in group L, 17.7 +/- 6.1 days, p < 0.0005. This study demonstrates a statistically significant decrease in postoperative morbidity and faster recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopy for adnexal surgery as compared with patients undergoing laparotomy for the same procedure. When cystectomy is performed via the laparoscope, there is a higher incidence of cyst rupture than with laparotomy.