Conservative Versus Surgical Treatment for Complex Neonatal Ovarian Cysts: Outcomes Study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. Prenatally diagnosed complex ovarian cysts are most often managed surgically in an attempt to save the ovary. Nevertheless, published surgical results disclose that most patients undergo oophorectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy. We assessed whether a surgical or conservative approach was more appropriate by comparing the long-term outcome of infants treated by both methods. A hypothesis for the cause of complex cysts is presented.CONCLUSION. Clinical evidence questions the use of surgery for asymptomatic complex ovarian cysts. Histologic analysis suggests gonad maldevelopment as the origin of complex neonatal ovarian cysts.