Objective: To evaluate the laparoscopic management of adnexal masses suspicious at ultrasound.
Methods: In a prospective study, adnexal masses suspicious at ultrasound were managed by laparoscopy. Indications for laparotomy included general contraindications to laparoscopy, obviously disseminated ovarian cancer, and technically impossible laparoscopic treatment. After laparoscopic diagnosis, frozen sections were used to confirm a diagnosis of malignancy. Treatment was performed by laparoscopy whenever feasible.
Results: Over a 3-year period, 247 of the 599 adnexal masses (41.2%) treated in our department were suspicious or solid at ultrasound. Seventeen patients were evaluated by laparotomy and 230 by laparoscopy. Overall, 204 women (82.6%) were treated by laparoscopy, including seven of the 37 malignant tumors (18.9%) and 197 of the 210 benign masses (93.8%). One case of tumor dissemination occurred after a laparoscopic adnexectomy and morcellation of a grade 1 immature teratoma.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic diagnosis of adnexal masses suspicious at ultrasound avoids many laparotomies for the treatment of benign masses and allows an improved inspection of the upper abdomen. The laparoscopic treatment of adnexal masses suspicious at surgery should be evaluated further in carefully designed prospective studies.