Cystectomy

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Cystectomy

Cystectomy (ovarian) is a procedure to remove a cyst from a woman’s ovaries. Cysts are closed pouches of tissue that can form on the skin or inside the body. They can be filled with pus, fluid, air, or other material. For a cyst that has formed on an ovary, doctors do not remove the entire ovary. The procedure is performed by a laparotomy (abdominal incision) or by laparoscopy (a minimally invasive surgery). The surgeon, usually a gynecologist, will determine which method to use. Average operative times range from 45 to 90 minutes and require either spinal or general anesthesia (required for laparoscopy). The procedure is usually scheduled immediately after the patient’s menstrual period. For laparotomy, an incision is made on the abdomen, with the size of the incision determined by the size of the uterus and the abdominal exposure needed. The incision will either by vertical (from the belly button down to the pubic bone) or horizontal (“bikini cut”). Laparotomy requires a one to three day hospitalization. Laparoscopy involves three to four small incisions (less than one inch) in the abdomen and may be performed on an outpatient or 23-hour observation basis. Patients will need anti-inflammatory and possibly narcotic medications following surgery. They can return to work in about a week.

UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology offers comprehensive women’s health care in a private, personal environment, with physicians and nurses who are dedicated to delivering excellent care. Because our physicians are nationally recognized specialists in their fields, you can rest assured that you are receiving the most advanced care available. UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology is consistently ranked among the best programs of its kind in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

As part of the UAB Division of Women’s Reproductive Healthcare, UAB Obstetrics and Gynecology’s services range from complete obstetric care to the medical and surgical treatment of complicated gynecological concerns. We work closely with the UAB Medicine Interventional Radiology team to diagnose and treat your condition, using the latest and most accurate technology and imaging methods, including fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and CT scans. Because UAB Medicine is an academic health center, patients may be offered participation in clinical research trials, which can give you access to new techniques and treatments that are not available elsewhere in the area. Our physicians are here for you at all times, from your first routine gynecological exam, to delivering your baby, to guiding you through menopause. When you establish a relationship with our doctors, you can rely upon that relationship throughout your lifetime.