Laparoscopic management of a ruptured benign dermoid cyst during advanced pregnancy

Benign cystic teratomas in pregnant women may be responsible for complications such as torsion, rupture and obstruction of labor. A woman in her 31st week of pregnancy with torsion of a large dermoid cyst and lipogranulomatosis peritonitis due to spilled cyst contents was managed laparoscopically with a favorable outcome. Trocar sites were selected according to the uterine size. Open laparoscopy allowed protection of the gravid uterus from penetrative injuries. Laparoscopic management of a voluminous adnexal mass may be safely performed during advanced pregnancy.