Removal of Adnexal Mass

With advancements in minimally invasive, robotic-assisted technology, adnexal masses can be removed via laparoscopic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System.

In the female reproductive system, the area where the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries connect is called the adnexa. When a growth or tumor develops in this area, it’s called an adnexal mass. Most adnexal masses develop in the ovary and can be cancerous or non-cancerous. While some women may have no symptoms, others may experience pain, bleeding, bloating, and other issues due to the mass. Depending on the size of the mass and whether it is suspected to be benign or malignant, surgery may be necessary.

With advancements in minimally invasive, robotic-assisted technology, removal of an adnexal mass can be done via laparoscopic surgery by Kelsey-Seybold Clinic OB/GYN specialists using the da Vinci® Surgical System.

Minimally Invasive Procedure

Laparoscopic removal of an adnexal mass refers to the removal of either benign or malignant tissue from the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or any of the surrounding tissues using a tiny camera called a laparoscope.

A small incision is made in the navel and the laparoscope is inserted to view the pelvic and abdominal organs on a screen. Three more small incisions are made in the abdominal wall. Laparoscopic tools attached to robotic arms controlled by the surgeon are inserted into these incisions. Using these tools, the surgeon removes the adnexal mass and may take a biopsy, if this hasn’t been done previously.

Laparoscopic, robotic-assisted adnexal mass removal reduces exposure of internal organs, minimizes the chance of infection, reduced blood loss, results in a shorter hospital stay, and reduces recovery time compared to a traditional surgery.

The da Vinci system has been used in more than a million minimally invasive procedures throughout the world, and has been approved by the FDA as a safe and effective form of surgery.

If your doctor suspects an adnexal mass that may be cancerous or is causing issues, the experts at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston can determine if you are a candidate for removal through minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.