Ovarian cystectomy - chances of losing ovary & fallopian tube?

[Justwanttosleep2]

After having stage 4 endometriosis excision surgery last year, I am left with a small (~12 mm) endometrioma in one ovary. It was drained at the time but it re-filled within weeks.

I am shortly due to have a c-section and the plan was to get this removed at the same time. The consultants I’ve spoken to throughout pregnancy appear to be happy with the plan and think that it makes sense. I’ve certainly heard no dissent or pushback.

At my last consultant appointment I was seen by a locum. She seemed disapproving of the idea and said that as ovaries are very ‘vascular’ there is a strong chance I would lose my ovary and/or fallopian tube. (I didn’t really warm to her as in the same appt she asked me to justify why I wanted a c-section (even though that’s been the plan since day one and my original consultant advised me to have it!).)

So, I’m sort of having second thoughts about it now. I just wondered if anyone else has had an ovarian cystectomy and whether you were advised of the risks of losing your ovary / fallopian tube?

Thank you.

😊

Am pretty sure that oophorectomy/salpingectomy (removing the ovary/tube) are normally discussed during the consent process for ovarian cystectomies. The blood supply is pretty impressive at term (much higher than when not pregnant). Very generally, most often I've heard surgeons saying they'll sort a cyst out so long as everything's gone smoothly with the section and they can get to it easily. If it's been a bloody section/they can't get to the ovary easily/it may prolong the surgery beyond the duration of the spinal then they would normally decide it's safer to sort the cyst out at a later date. They should go through all the risks as well as the proposed benefits during the consent process so you should have chance to ask more questions that are specific to you and your particular gynae/obstetric history.

Hi @Greybeardy I’ve just re-read my OP. Yes the risks were discussed with me in the last appointment, what I meant to say was, does anyone know what is the % likelihood of the ovary or fallopian tube having to be removed?

You make a good point about the blood supply being higher right now, and the spinal wearing off. Hmm…

OTOH, it’s such a small cyst I’m not sure it’s worthwhile having a GA in the future to take it out, so I would dearly love for it to be removed ‘while they’re in there’ so to speak.

I won’t be seeing my surgeon until the morning of the procedure so I will discuss with him then. I trust him implicitly so will be happy to see what he advises.