Inadvertent rupture of benign cystic teratoma does not impair future fertility

Objective We sought to investigate the reproductive outcomes of women who underwent laparoscopic removal of benign cystic teratoma with or without intraoperative spillage. Study Design The reproductive outcomes of reproductive age women following laparoscopic removal of benign cystic teratoma from 1997 through 2007 were investigated by a telephone questionnaire. Results In all, 128 reproductive age women underwent benign cystic teratoma removal, and reproductive outcomes were available for 45. Among those 45 women, intraoperative spillage occurred in 16 (35.6%). The rate of spontaneous pregnancies was significantly lower for the nonspillage compared to the intraoperative spillage groups (20/29 [68.9%] vs 16/16 [100%], respectively; P = .01). However, the median time from surgery to the first pregnancy was similar (22 and 18.5 months, respectively; P = .9). From the 9 remaining women in the nonspillage group, 4 conceived with ovulation induction, 2 conceived with in vitro fertilization, and 3 were infertile. Conclusion Intraoperative spillage of benign cystic teratomas does not lead to long-term infertility.