Health Library

Ovarian Cyst Removal—Open Surgery

by Editorial Staff and Contributors

En Español (Spanish Version)

Definition | Reasons for Procedure | Possible Complications | What to Expect | Call Your Doctor

Definition

This is surgery to remove a cyst on an ovary.

Ovarian Cyst

Reasons for Procedure

An ovarian cyst may need to be removed if it is:

Suspected of being cancer (the chances are lower if you are young)
Large (more than 2.5 inches in diameter)
Solid (rather than containing just fluid)
Causing pain

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an ovarian cyst removed, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

Infection

Bleeding

Cyst returns after it is removed

Need for removal of one or both ovaries

Infertility
Blood clots
Damage to other organs

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

Obesity
Chronic or recent illness
Heavy use of alcohol, smoking, or use of narcotics (may make delivering anesthesia more difficult or impair wound healing)
Use of certain prescription medicines
Pregnancy
Previous abdominal surgery

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the procedure.

What to Expect

Your doctor may do the following:

CT scan—a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of organs
Ultrasound—a test that uses sound waves to examine the abdomen
Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)—a test that records the heart's activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle

Talk to your doctor about what action should be taken if cancer is found during surgery. One option is to remove the ovary.

Leading up to the surgery:

Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, such as:
- Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs
- Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital. Also, arrange for someone to help you at home.
Do not eat or drink for at least eight hours before the surgery.

General anesthesia—blocks pain and keeps you asleep through the surgery; given through an IV in your hand or arm

The doctor will make a cut in the abdomen. The abdominal muscles will be separated, and the abdomen will be opened. The doctor will locate, clamp, and tie the blood vessels that supply the ovary. (Note: This step is not always needed.)

Next, the cyst will be removed. In some cases, the doctor will also remove a sample of tissue for testing. If cancer is found, one or both ovaries (if cysts are on both ovaries) may be removed. Lastly, the doctor will use stitches to sew the abdominal muscles. The incision area will be closed with stitches or staples.

After the procedure, you will be given IV fluids and medicines while recovering.

1-2 hours

You will have abdominal pain and discomfort for 7-10 days. Your doctor will give you pain medicine.

2-3 days

Recovery may take 3-4 weeks. When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.

Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

Gently wash the incision area with mild soap and water.

Move and elevate your legs while in bed. This will lessen the chance of blood clots.
Take prescription pain medicine only for as long as needed. Take over-the-counter pain relievers (such as ibuprofen, naproxen) if the pain is mild.
Avoid strenuous exercise for 2-6 weeks.
Do not drive until your doctor states this is safe.
Do not resume sexual activity until your doctor says it is okay. You may need to wait two weeks.
Follow your doctor's guidelines for ultrasound tests. These may need to be done if it is likely that the cysts will return.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occur:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills

Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site

Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given

Unexpected amount of vaginal bleeding or discharge

Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
Nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medicines you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
Headaches, muscle aches, dizziness, or general ill feeling
Constipation or abdominal swelling
Vomiting
Urinary difficulties
Onset of pain or swelling in one or both legs
New, unexplained symptoms

In case of an emergency, call for medical help right away.

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

http://www.acog.org

National Uterine Fibroids Foundation

http://www.nuff.org

Women's Health.gov

http://www.womenshealth.gov

Health Canada

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Women's Health Matters

http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca

Ovarian cysts. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovarian-cysts/DS00129/DSECTION=7. Updated July 20, 2007. Accessed June 10, 2008.

Ovarian tumors. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us. Updated November 2010. Accessed November 12, 2010.

Last reviewed September 2012 by Andrea Chisholm

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.