Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy in Sharjah

What is laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy?

Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy is an operation that shells a cyst out of the ovary through small cuts in the abdomen, then leaves the ovary behind to carry on making hormones and releasing eggs. The surgeon opens the thin outer layer of the ovary, finds the plane between the cyst wall and the healthy tissue, and peels the cyst away along that plane.

The goal is ovary preservation. Every ovary holds a limited store of eggs, and the operation is designed to remove the cyst while sparing as much of that store as possible. This is what separates a cystectomy from an oophorectomy, where the whole ovary is removed.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy is performed in-house by the gynaecology surgical team. If you are still deciding whether your cyst needs an operation at all, the ovarian cyst treatment page explains how that decision is made. This page covers the operation once surgery has been agreed.

Who needs it

Ovarian cystectomy is offered to women who need a cyst removed and want to keep the ovary, especially those hoping for a pregnancy now or later. The cysts most often removed this way are:

• endometriomas, sometimes called chocolate cysts, which form from endometriosis inside the ovary and are filled with old blood
• dermoid cysts, which grow from egg-forming cells and can contain fat, hair or other tissue
• cystadenomas, fluid- or mucus-filled growths from the surface of the ovary
• simple cysts that persist, grow or keep causing pain

Surgery for an endometrioma is planned with care, because the cyst wall lies close to healthy egg-bearing tissue. For endometriosis beyond the ovary, the endometriosis treatment page covers the wider options. The surgeon discusses your symptoms, your scan, your plans for a family and your egg reserve, and how the operation fits your fertility plans, before you decide.

What happens

Laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy is done under general anaesthesia. A small cut is made at the navel for the camera and one or two smaller cuts lower on the abdomen for the instruments, and the abdomen is gently inflated with gas to create working space.

The surgeon looks at both ovaries and the rest of the pelvis first; if endometriosis is found elsewhere, it can often be treated at the same time. The cyst is then separated from the ovary and placed in a small retrieval bag before it comes out through one of the cuts. The bag matters most for dermoid cysts, whose contents can irritate the lining of the abdomen. Bleeding points on the ovary are controlled gently to protect the remaining tissue, and the ovary is often left to heal on its own or closed with fine stitches. The cyst wall is sent to the laboratory to confirm its type.

You wake in recovery and usually go home the same day or the next, once you are eating, walking and passing urine comfortably.

Preparing for it

Before surgery the team reviews your ultrasound and may repeat it to check the cyst's current size and appearance. A blood test of ovarian reserve, called AMH, is often suggested before endometrioma surgery or when fertility is a priority, so you have a baseline to plan around. Blood tests and an anaesthetic review confirm you are ready.

Bring a list of your medicines, including hormonal treatment and blood thinners, and follow your fasting instructions. Tell the team if there is any chance you could be pregnant. Arrange a lift home, and if the operation falls near Ramadan, raise it early so fasting and recovery can be planned together.

Afterwards

Shoulder-tip ache from the gas, bloating and soreness around the small cuts are expected in the first days, and light vaginal spotting can occur. Walk little and often, keep the wounds clean and dry, and wear loose clothing in the Sharjah heat. Your surgeon gives you a personal plan for driving, exercise and work, which differs for desk, driving and manual jobs.

At follow-up the laboratory result is reviewed with you. After endometrioma surgery, hormonal treatment is often recommended to help protect the ovary, and if you are planning a pregnancy, your doctor advises on timing and whether to see a fertility specialist.

Contact the hospital urgently if you develop a fever, a wound that reddens or leaks, or pain that keeps getting worse. **Go to the emergency department straight away for severe abdominal pain, fainting, heavy bleeding, a swollen painful calf or breathlessness.**

Cost and insurance

Most UAE insurance plans cover ovarian cystectomy when a scan shows a cyst needing removal, with pre-approval supported by the ultrasound report and your symptoms. The AMH blood test and fertility-related care are sometimes covered separately, so check both with your insurer. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.