Treatment and Outcomes of Congenital Ovarian Cysts A Study by the Canadian Consortium for Research in Pediatric Surgery (CanCORPS)

Ovarian cysts are the most common cystic abdominal mass necessitating referral to a pediatric surgeon, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 2625 live births.^1,2 Most ovarian cysts detected in the prenatal period are asymptomatic and are thought to be the result of maternal hormonal stimulation. Many of these cysts can be observed with serial ultrasounds until they resolve or regress spon-taneously.^3,4 However, tremendous variability exists in the evaluation and management of these lesions.^5–8

Despite their benign nature, fetal ovarian cysts have been associated with a variety of complications, including torsion and hemorrhage.⁹ Early surgical intervention has been proposed as a way to mitigate the risk of ovarian loss due to such complications. However, despite the intention to spare ovarian tissue, most surgical interventions result in oophorectomy,