19-Year-Old Woman in Taiwan Has 30cm Ovarian Cyst Removed with Robotic Surgery, Leaving Less Than 2cm Scar

A 19-year-old woman in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, has undergone a remarkable procedure to remove a rare, giant ovarian cyst measuring approximately 30 centimeters. The surgery, performed using the Da Vinci robotic system at Kaohsiung Municipal Tatung Hospital, resulted in a minimally invasive operation with a surgical wound of less than 2 centimeters.

The patient, identified as Ms. Wang, sought medical attention in March due to abdominal distension and persistent, irregular menstruation. Examinations revealed a tumor exceeding 20 centimeters in her abdomen. While traditional surgery was an option, Ms. Wang was concerned about scarring and sought a less invasive approach. She was referred to Dr. Huang Xuan-wei, head of gynecology at the hospital, who diagnosed a cyst adjacent to the fallopian tube.

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The patient's abdomen was so large before the surgery that she had to wear XL pants; after the surgery, her waist size has shrunk to fit L-sized clothing, and her menstrual cycle has returned to normal.

Given that various tests indicated a low probability of malignancy, and considering the benefits of preserving reproductive function and minimizing scarring, Ms. Wang opted for the robotic surgery, a procedure she self-funded at a cost of over NT$200,000. The cyst, weighing nearly 4 kilograms, was successfully removed, leading to a significant reduction in her abdominal size. Post-surgery, her menstrual cycle has returned to normal.

Dr. Chen Ying-yi, an attending physician in gynecology at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, noted that while ovarian cysts typically measure around 7-8 centimeters, cysts larger than 15 centimeters are considered giant and extremely rare, with only about 20 cases reported globally. Ms. Wang's 30-centimeter cyst is the largest encountered by Kaohsiung Chang Gung and the youngest patient diagnosed with such a condition. The cyst was a serous cystadenoma, commonly known as a water tumor. During the surgery, nearly 4,000 milliliters of fluid were carefully drained to prevent rupture before the tumor was precisely excised using the Da Vinci system, preserving ovarian function. Although recurrence is possible, a cleaner surgical removal reduces the likelihood.

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Generally, paratubal cysts below 7 or 8 centimeters are common. Cysts above 15 centimeters are already considered giant cysts and are quite rare, with only about 20 cases worldwide.

Ms. Wang reported that before the surgery, her abdomen was so large she needed XL pants, but post-operation, she can now wear L-sized clothing. Dr. Chen advised that paratubal cysts often present with symptoms similar to gastrointestinal discomfort, making them difficult to detect early. They are usually discovered only when the abdomen becomes abnormally enlarged. Ms. Wang's cyst, for instance, likely developed over at least a year, with its exact cause remaining unknown.

In another case highlighted at the hospital, Mr. Lin, who suffered from recurrent incisional hernias for two years following a previous surgery, underwent a complex abdominal wall reconstruction using the Da Vinci system. After losing nearly 20 kilograms, he had the procedure, which involved multi-layered fascial separation, layered suturing, and mesh placement. His hernia condition has since improved significantly, and he is recovering well. The hospital's Da Vinci system, introduced less than a year ago, has already completed 100 surgeries, offering advantages such as small incisions, minimal blood loss, rapid recovery, and fewer complications for various procedures, including those for sleep apnea, prostate cancer, rectal cancer, lung nodules, and hernias.

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The Da Vinci surgery can be used for high-difficulty treatments such as sleep apnea surgery, prostate cancer and kidney tumor resection, rectal and transverse colon cancer resection, thoracic nodule and pleural tumor resection, inguinal hernia and abdominal wall hernia repair, as well as hysterectomy, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer staging surgery.