[Laparoscopy-guided extraperitoneal resection of ovarian cysts: surgical procedure, indications and limitations].

We designed a new surgical method for the treatment of benign ovarian cysts. We have previously reported that, with our laparoscopy-guided method, the cyst wall is pulled outside the abdominal cavity after evacuation of the cyst contents, and resection is performed by the same method as during laparotomy. The preoperative assessment and surgical findings were investigated in 16 subjects, 5 with simple cysts, 2 with para-ovarian cysts, 2 with chocolate cysts, 5 with dermoid cysts and 2 with mucinous cysts. This surgical method was applicable in 11 of the 14 patients. Laparotomy was required in the other 3, because 2 of the patients had strong adhesions and in 1 evacuation was impossible. The patients were classified into 3 grades of difficulty before surgery: Grade I; operable, Grade II; operable with special care, Grade III; laparotomy required. During surgery, the feasibility of continuing the procedure was also assessed. In this surgical procedure, through a small incision in the abdominal wall, the entire resection of an ovarian cyst is done extra-peritoneally. However, the eligibility of patients for this method needs to be very carefully examined preoperatively and reviewed throughout the procedure.