Postoperative peritoneal cysts

Peritoneal cysts are an infrequent postoperative complication. Few cases have been reported in the literature. This paper presents four cases seen after gynecologic operations. The cysts occurred 1.5 to 8 months postoperatively. The patients presented with pain and a large pelvic mass. No patient showed clinical or laboratory evidence of acute inflammation. Ovarian neoplasm was the leading diagnosis in three cases; the correct preoperative diagnosis of peritoneal cyst was made in only one case. Three patients were managed successfully with resection. One patient was treated with percutaneous drainage, though nine months was required for complete resolution. There were no recurrences at one-year follow-up.