How large is an ovarian cyst that requires surgery? The disease needs to be treated according to the situation

We must pay attention to the occurrence of ovarian cysts, especially when treating them. We must also choose a reasonable treatment method based on the condition, and patients must also receive daily care.

How much surgery is needed for ovarian cysts

Usually 5 centimeters. Cysts smaller than 5cm are generally considered physiological cysts and do not require surgical treatment. Ultrasound follow-up every 3 months is sufficient. Most physiological cysts will shrink or disappear on their own, but they may also grow again in the other or ipsilateral ovaries. Cysts with a diameter greater than 5cm are mainly considered to have complications such as rupture, infection, and torsion, so surgical treatment is recommended.

Many patients believe that surgical resection is only necessary if the cyst is large enough to reach a certain extent, but in fact, in addition to considering the size of the cyst, other factors such as whether the cyst has ruptured, whether the patient has developed infection, or if there are more serious symptoms should also be considered comprehensively.

Treatment of ovarian cysts

1. Treatment of benign cysts

(1) Ordinary treatment

If it is a simple cyst with no separation, no intracystic papilla, no complex features such as calcification, it is basically benign and can be conservatively observed. After 4-8 weeks of follow-up, cysts usually become smaller or disappear. If the cyst does not disappear, but the ultrasound shows a simple cyst, strict observation can continue. Physiological ovarian cysts, such as those with endocrine symptoms such as menstrual disorders, can be treated with oral medication to alleviate symptoms. However, for pathological cysts, oral medication with clear therapeutic effects has not yet been found.

(2) Surgical treatment

Ovarian cyst resection is commonly used in young patients, especially premenopausal patients, while preserving normal ovarian tissue as much as possible.

Fallopian tube and oophorectomy is feasible for older patients (over 45 years old) or postmenopausal patients, with unilateral or bilateral fallopian tube and oophorectomy.

2. Treatment of Malignant Cysts

For cysts that are considered malignant or have unclear diagnosis, the removed material will be sent for pathological examination after surgery, and the nature of the cyst will be determined under a microscope before considering the next step of treatment. If complications such as torsion, rupture, bleeding, infection occur in ovarian cysts, emergency surgery should be performed.

Many patients are already in the late stage when they go to the hospital, so the primary cysts and visible pelvic and abdominal metastasis furnaces should be removed as far as possible during treatment. Now, the rolling carpet method is used to remove the uterus, tumor and pelvic peritoneum, such as greater omentum resection, intestinal resection, bladder and ureterectomy. Consideration should also be given to indwelling a catheter in the abdominal cavity for postoperative use such as intraperitoneal injection of chemotherapy drugs.