Each woman has two ovaries connected to the uterus, Fallopian tubes and pelvis.
The ovaries are highly active organs and produce chemical messengers called hormones. Ovarian hormones are responsible for puberty, the menstrual cycle including ovulation and then menopause. The ovarian hormones also help with brain, bone and heart health. This activity can lead to ovarian cysts forming.
It is important to remember that most ovarian cysts do not need surgery, as the body will resorb them spontaneously.
When necessary, ovarian cysts can typically be surgically removed off the ovary. This allows the ovary to remain inside the pelvis and continue to function. This is especially important for women who intend to fall pregnant and women who have not yet gone through menopause (premenopausal).
When is an ovarian cystectomy needed?
An ovarian cystectomy may be necessary to manage an ovarian cyst that is:
- recurrent, persistent or growing in size
- painful and problematic
- suspected to be an endometrioma
- suspected to be a dermoid cyst (as these don’t typically go away on their own)
- associated with a pelvic infection
The decision to have an ovarian cystectomy is also informed by the woman’s age and pregnancy intentions. Women who are considering pregnancy, benefit from retaining their ovaries to allow ovulation and support a developing pregnancy.
How is an ovarian cystectomy performed?
Dr Dunn performs robotic-assisted ovarian cystectomy.
