Ovarian Cyst Removal (Cystectomy)

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets in or on an ovary, and they are quite common, with most women having them at some point in time. The cysts are typically harmless and disappear without treatment within months. Sometimes, though, ovarian cysts can cause problems, especially when they rupture. Symptoms may include abdominal pressure, pain during intercourse, bloating, and abnormal or unusually painful periods.

Birth control pills are sometimes prescribed to prevent new ovarian cysts from forming, but if a cyst does not go away, grows larger, causes pain, or occurs in a perimenopausal or menopausal woman, a surgery called a cystectomy is often recommended.

During a cystectomy, the ovarian cyst is removed either through a laparoscopic procedure or through open surgery. Open surgery (or oophorectomy – removal of the ovary and its growth) requires more recovery time. Now with robotic-assisted technology, removal of ovarian cysts can be performed via minimally invasive surgery, which we offer at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.

Minimally Invasive Procedure

During a traditional open surgery cystectomy, a large incision is made in the abdomen and the abdominal muscles are separated. In some cases, the blood vessels surrounding ovaries are clamped. The ovarian cyst is removed and, if cancer is suspected, a tissue sample may be taken. Stitches close the abdominal muscles and the incision area.

At Kelsey-Seybold, we perform cystectomy using robotic-assisted surgery, using the da Vinci® Surgical System, during which a tiny camera called a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. To allow the surgeon more space and a larger viewing area, carbon dioxide gas is pumped into the abdominal cavity. Tools inserted into other small incisions are attached to robotic arms that are controlled by the surgeon. The cyst or cysts are removed with the tools, leaving the ovaries intact.

A laparoscopic, robotic-assisted cystectomy results in a lower risk of complications, shorter hospital stay, and reduced recovery time, as compared to a traditional open 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 you have been diagnosed with problematic ovarian cysts that require removal, the experts at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston can perform an evaluation to help you decide if robotic-assisted cystectomy is right for you. Contact us today at 713-442-8598.