A cystectomy is a type of surgery that is used to remove an ovarian cyst. However, it is important to note that the simple presence of a cyst is not reason enough to undergo the procedure.
In fact, many physicians require that the cyst exhibit specific characteristics before surgery is even a consideration. Here are some examples of situations where performing surgery is likely to be an option.
Because an ovarian cyst can be reabsorbed into the body, there is a good chance that your doctor will prefer to monitor your situation for at least a few menstrual cycles. Assuming the cyst is not causing much discomfort, the goal is to give the cyst time to go away on its own. However, if the cyst is still present after several cycles, there is a good chance your doctor will recommend a cystectomy.
Should the cyst show consistent growth after a few cycles, this could be a good reason to consider moving forward with the cyst removal. As the cyst enlarges, there is more of a chance of damage to the ovary, as well as an increased possibility of a rupture. Once it is apparent that the cyst is not going to shrink on its own, surgical removal is an obvious choice.
However, there are situations where your doctor is likely to recommend a cystectomy soon after diagnosing the ovarian cyst. For example, if the cyst is causing a great deal of pain, removal now rather than later is often a good idea. Should the cyst appear to be bleeding, removing it at once is necessary to minimize the chances of infection. In the event that tests indicate the cyst is progressing from a benign state to a malignant one, removing cysts as soon as possible is the best choice.
There are some potential side effects from undergoing a cystectomy. You may experience some after effects from the anesthesia used to prepare you for the surgery. These can include nausea and some dry heaving for several hours after the procedure is completed.
Many women also find they have a significant amount of pain after undergoing this type of procedure, making it necessary to use pain medication for at least the first several days after the operation. There may also be some bleeding from the incision, even if a minimally invasive procedure, such as a laparoscopy, is used. As with any type of surgery, there is also some risk of infection.
Your doctor can acquaint you with the possible signs of infection, as well as provide you with medication to deal with the issue.
Your rate of recovery from a cystectomy will depend a great deal on several factors. The amount of damage done to your ovary or ovaries is one consideration. If you underwent conventional open surgery, you will require more time for the incisions to heal. Any complications during or after the surgery will add to the amount of time you will need to heal completely. Keep in mind that even in the best case scenario, it may take as much as a month to fully recover from the procedure.