Ovarian cysts puncture

What is the puncture of ovarian cysts?
The echographic guided puncture of ovarian cyst is an alternative of laparoscopy or open abdominal surgery. It is applicable in cases of follicular on endometriosis cysts. The technique is very similar to the ovarian puncture for oocyte retrieval in IVF procedures. The procedure lasts approximately 20 minutes.

When is the puncture advisable?
The procedure is applicable for functional ovarian cysts with size up to 3 cm and standard shape, smooth internal and external walls, unicameral, with limpid liquid content; or for endometriosis (chocolate) cysts. Puncture is required when there is no result of conservative hormonal treatment for more than three months.

How do we perform the procedure?
The echographic guided puncture is performed under full short-time anesthesia, through the vagina. An aspiration needle put on the echographic transducer passes through the vagina, reaches the ovaries and penetrates the ovarian cyst. The echographic control allows the team to trace the penetration of the needle in the cyst capsule and the aspiration of the liquid inside it. When the puncture is on endometriosis cyst, after the aspiration of the fluid the capsule is washed with special burning liquid. In both cases, the aspirated content of the cyst is histologically tested.

What is the minimum hospital stay?
Two hours

What are the contraindications for echographic guided puncture of ovarian cysts?
Before the procedure, it is required the testing for the CA-125 tumor marker to exclude a malignant cyst when the puncture is not applicable. Contraindications are also inflammatory diseases of the female reproductive system.