Operative Laparoscopy for Adnexal Cystic Masses in Patients Under 40 Years of Age

From January 1990 through October 1993, 527 patients under 40 years were submitted to operative laparoscopy for the treatment of 544 adnexal cystic masses by stripping or vaporization/coagulation techniques in nine centers in Rome. The mean age of patients was 27.8 years, ranging from 13 to 39. The mean diameter of the cysts was 45.8 mm. ranging from 20 to 130. The procedure was completed by laparoscopy in 518 cases (95.2%) whereas 26 cases (4.8%) were converted to laparotomy. Conservative treatment was performed in all cases except 6 (1.1%), where ovariectomy or adnexectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed a borderline tumor in two; in all others the cyst was benign. It is concluded that operative laparoscopy is the procedure of choice for the treatment of carefully selected adnexal masses in patients of reproductive age.