Large ovarian tumor removed through laparoscopic surgery

MUMBAI: Shakuntala Gaikwad (name changed for privacy), a 40-year-old lady was complaining of shortness of breath since a few months. Not unusual considering she was asthmatic since childhood. However, her relatives pointed out that her abdomen was appearing bloated and that she should consult a doctor. They approached Niramaya Hospital, Kharghar where doctors were surprised to find a huge abdominal tumor extending from her pelvis upto her rib cage.

"Shakuntala had a huge right ovarian tumor called a Mucinous Cystadenoma which was approximately one foot in diameter, and it was resulting in pressure on her diaphragm and internal organs due to its very large size," said Dr Amit Thadhani, consulting laparoscopic surgeon and Medical Director, Niramaya Hospitals. The tumor was successfully removed laparoscopically by a team of surgeons headed by Dr Thadhani, a very challenging task considering the tumor's massive size.

Shakuntala is now backing home after a successful and uneventful recovery. "It is unusual for such large tumors to go unnoticed. Fortunately, she has come to us before the tumor ruptured into her abdominal cavity, which could have been quite catastrophic. Successful laparoscopic management of such cases is very gratifying as we could discharge the patient after such a major surgery within two days and with very tiny wounds instead of opening the entire abdomen which would have caused substantial pain and a longer recovery period", said Dr Thadhani.