Prognosis and postoperative surveillance of benign ovarian tumors in children: a single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognosis of benign ovarian tumors and develop a postoperative surveillance strategy for children based on the findings.

METHODS

The clinical data of children with benign ovarian tumors treated in the hospital from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 404 patients were included in this study, with an average age of 9.1 ± 3.1 years. All patients underwent a total of 423 procedures, including 61 oophorectomy and 362 ovary-sparing surgeries. 67 patients were lost to follow-up after surgery. The remaining 337 patients were followed up for a period ranging from 3 months to 9 years (mean 1.6 ± 1.8 years). The ovarian preservation rate for patients undergoing ovary-sparing surgery for the first time was 94.4% (271/287). The overall recurrence rate of benign ovarian tumors was 3.9% (13/337). Of the 13 patients with recurrence, 10 had regular imaging examinations and did not develop symptoms. Three patients had irregular follow-up after surgery and returned to the hospital due to symptoms. The first recurrence interval of these 13 patients after surgery ranged from 0.6 to 5.3 years (mean 2.0 ± 1.4 years). 84.6% (11/13) of the recurrence cases developed within 3 years after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Ovary-sparing surgery for benign ovarian tumors has a favorable prognosis and a high rate of ovarian preservation. Regular follow-up after surgery for benign ovarian tumors is necessary. Annual imaging follow-up for at least 3 years postoperative can detect most recurrence cases.