The safety of laparoscopic treatment for ovarian dermoid tumours.

Whilst laparoscopic surgery has largely replaced laparotomy as the standard surgical option for the management of benign ovarian cysts, concern remains regarding the safety of laparoscopy for benign cystic teratomas. This is based on a higher rate of cyst content spillage compared to laparotomy and the known sequelae of chemical peritonitis and granuloma formation. We present 18 cases of laparoscopic dermoid cystectomy with recommendations for specimen removal from the peritoneal cavity. Our findings together with evidence from the literature confirms the safety of laparoscopy for the treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts.