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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Surgical Techniques to Optimize Ovarian Reserve during Laparoscopic Cystectomy for Ovarian Endometrioma
Published on: January 22, 2022
Percutaneous drainage as the treatment of choice for neonatal ovarian cysts
Ada Kessler1, Hagith Nagar, Moshe Graif
1Department of Radiology, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, 6 Weizman, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel. kesslera@tasmc.health.gov.il
Background:
Involution of neonatal ovarian cysts occurs usually by 12 months. Persisting cysts larger than 4 cm are prone to torsion. Two modes of therapy are advocated: surgery and percutaneous US-guided cyst aspiration.
Objective:
To compare ovarian preservation following the use of US-guided aspiration or conventional surgery for the treatment of large asymptomatic neonatal ovarian cysts, and to suggest alternative treatment when intrauterine ovarian torsion occurs.
Materials And Methods:
The study population comprised 25 baby girls with an ovarian cyst, 5 with a simple cyst and 20 with a complex cyst. Of these 25 infants, 8 had surgery and 17 had US-guided cyst aspiration.
Results:
In the surgical group of 8, 6 underwent oophorectomy, and in 2 the ovary was saved. In the aspirated group of 17, the ovary was saved in 10, and was lost in 5. At the time of this report one patient was still in the follow-up period, and one was lost to follow-up.
Conclusion:
US-guided aspiration of large neonatal cysts preserves ovarian tissue in a higher percentage of patients than surgery. It is safe, effective, and repeatable. We recommend US-guided aspiration of asymptomatic large ovarian cysts for salvage or for decompression if intrauterine ovarian torsion occurs. Surgery should be reserved for patients with acute torsion, intestinal obstruction and intestinal volvulus.
