Objective: To compare laparoscopy and laparotomy in the management of benign adnexal cysts, with particular attention to postoperative convalescence.
Methods: Forty premenopausal, nonpregnant women, 18-40 years of age and without acute pelvic symptoms, were scheduled to undergo surgical management of anechoic, unilateral, unilocular, persistent adnexal cysts from January 1993 through June 1994 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. After ultrasonographic examination, followed by the completion of 6 months' expectant management with repeat ultrasonographic evaluations, subjects were randomized to undergo operative laparoscopy (n = 20) or laparotomy (n = 20). The patients were reviewed postoperatively at the out-patient clinic at 15, 30, 90, and 180 days. The intensity of pain was assessed by completion of a visual analogue scale on the results of the two groups were compared. We also compared the proportions of patients who were analgesic-free on day 2, discharged from hospital within 3 days, and feeling fully recuperated on day 15.
Results: The intensity of postoperative pain was significantly lower (P < .05) in the operative laparoscopy group than in the laparotomy group. A significantly higher (P < .05) proportion of the laparoscopy patients was analgesic-free on day 2, discharged from the hospital within 3 days, and feeling fully recuperated on postoperative day 15.
Conclusion: After careful patient evaluation, management of anechoic, unilocular adnexal cysts by operative laparoscopy significantly reduces both the intensity of postoperative pain and the length of convalescence compared with laparotomy.