BACKGROUNDLaparoscopic surgery in pregnant women has become increasingly more common; however, the safety of laparoscopy in this population has been widely debated in emergent situations and big size at bigger pregnant weeks. This study was to determine the characteristics of laparoscopic surgery for adnexal masses in different conditions during the second trimester of pregnancy.

METHODSBetween April 2002 and December 2011, 24 patients with suspected ovary cyst during the second trimester underwent laparoscopic surgery at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital retrospectively. Clinical data were collected retrospectively and patient's outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTSThe incidence of laparoscopic surgery for ovarian cysts during pregnancy was 0.12% of all laparoscopic gynecological surgeries performed at the hospital. No patients required conversion. There were 9 (37.5%) patients whose gestational age was no less than 16 weeks, and 15 patients whose gestational age was less than 16 weeks; no difference was noted in the operation time between the two groups (P > 0.05). Emergency surgery due to abdominal pain was performed in 4 (16.7%) patients, 2 (8.3%) of whom underwent simple salpingo-oophorectomy because of ovarian necrosis. The other patients underwent enucleation of the ovarian cyst. There were no severe complications. Twenty (83.3%) pregnant women delivered healthy term infants and 4 (16.7%) cases were lost to follow up.

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic surgery for ovary masses is a safe and feasible procedure for the treatment of ovary cyst in different conditions during the second trimester, even if gestational age reaching 16-19 weeks or in emergency.