Minimally invasive laparotomy for treatment of neonatal ovarian cysts

Background/Purpose: The optimal management of neonatal simple ovarian cysts greater than 4 cm is not known. The authors describe a safe, simple, definitive surgical technique. Methods: We report 5 cases of simple ovarian cysts greater than 4 cm treated at the authors' institution between 1998 and 1999. All initial ultrasound findings were consistent with simple ovarian cysts greater than 4 cm. All patients underwent minimally invasive laparotomy. Length of operation ranged between 28 and 49 minutes. There were no intraoperative nor postoperative complications. The operation did not delay discharge. All patients were taking enteral nutrition and required no analgesia by postoperative day 1, No patient had recurrence of the ovarian cysts when screened by ultrasound scan at 4 months of age. Conclusion: Minimally invasive laparotomy provides a safe, definitive treatment for neonatal ovarian cysts greater than 4 cm, J Pediatr Surg 36:868-869, Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.