Failure of Operative Therapy after Ovarian-Sparing Surgery for Pediatric Benign Ovarian Neoplasms: A Retrospective

Maria E Knaus1, Amanda J Onwuka2, Naila M Abouelseoud3

  • 1Center for Surgical Outcomes Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.

Abstract

Insights

Ovarian-sparing surgery for pediatric benign ovarian neoplasms had a low failure rate of 7.5% for incomplete tumor removal. Most patients achieved successful tumor removal, and some suspected recurrences resolved with monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric surgery
  • Gynecologic oncology
  • Benign ovarian neoplasms

Background:

  • Ovarian-sparing surgery is increasingly utilized for benign ovarian neoplasms in pediatric patients.
  • Evaluating the success of initial operative therapy is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the failure rate of initial operative therapy, defined as incomplete tumor removal, following ovarian-sparing surgery for pediatric benign ovarian neoplasms.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review was conducted on patients up to 21 years old who underwent ovarian-sparing surgery for benign ovarian neoplasms between 2010 and 2016.
  • Failure was defined as a radiologically suspected or pathologically confirmed ipsilateral lesion with the same pathology within 12 weeks of the initial operation.

Main Results:

  • Of 40 patients with imaging within 12 weeks, 16 (40%) had an ipsilateral ovarian abnormality, and 5 were suspected of having the same lesion.
  • Three patients (7.5%) had pathologically confirmed incomplete tumor removal, while 2 showed lesion resolution with serial imaging.
  • No significant association was found between patient/surgical factors and therapy failure.

Conclusions:

  • Ovarian-sparing surgery for pediatric benign ovarian neoplasms demonstrates a low failure rate for complete tumor removal.
  • Serial monitoring may be appropriate for selected patients with suspected incomplete tumor removal on initial imaging, potentially avoiding repeat surgery.

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