Single-center experience with laparoscopic management of pediatric ovarian masses

Purpose To evaluate our single-center experience and results in management of children diagnosed with ovarian masses using minimal access surgery. Methods Retrospective data review (2014–2016) of patients with adnexal disease was performed. Institutional ethical committee approval was obtained for this analysis. Results Twenty-one girls aged 9–18 years with 12 right, 7 left and 2 bilateral ovarian masses were analyzed. Of these 16 girls, 15 were operated laparoscopically based on clinical findings, ultrasound reports, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, and tumor marker levels. There was a significant difference observed in the size of ovarian masses between operated versus non-operated group (87.1 vs. 31.8 mm; p < 0.05 ). The most common histological diagnosis was simple (functional) ovarian cyst, ( n = 10, 66.7%). Except in two girls with dysgerminoma and immature teratoma, respectively, ovaries were preserved in all other that were operated. There was one conversion. There were two ovarian torsions, in both girls the ovaries could be preserved. Conclusion Although our series is small, outcomes of minimal access surgery to pediatric ovarian masses are favorable as we carefully select patients based on international recommendations with pre-operative assessments and apply ovarian-preserving techniques whenever possible.