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Olympic Ovarian Cyst
"Olympic-Sized" Ovarian Cyst
The Sunday before the Olympics began, an envoy from the Netherlands was referred to endoscopic gynecological surgeon Tom Lyons, M.D., performing volunteer medical service in the Olympic Village in Atlanta. Previously diagnosed with an ovarian cyst which made the 19-year-old's slender build look as though she had reached a full-term pregnancy, the young woman was told by another surgeon that excising the cyst would require major surgery and an incision from the pubic bone to the sternum--after she returned home from the Olympics. Lyons confirmed the diagnosis but suggested a far more palatable choice for treatment, which would make it possible for Femke to attend the dress rehearsal for the Centennial Olympic opening ceremonies two days after surgery. Using endoscopic techniques, he made four incisions in her abdomen, each less than the size of a dime. Through a trocar (a slender tube about the size of a ball point pen) he drained nine liters (20 pounds) of fluid before removing the cyst, leaving her ovary intact. Within two days, with a flattened stomach, she attended the Opening Ceremony's dress rehearsal and enjoyed herself immensely. But she never would have known this option was possible had the referring physician not known of Dr. Lyons' capabilities. To find a surgeon who is capable of performing abdominal or other surgeries in a minimally-invasive manner, ask a few simple questions: How many surgeries like this has he/she performed; what has been the conversion ratio ( i.e., how many procedures begin endoscopically but must be converted to open surgeries with large incisions to finish them); and how quickly do the patients return home or to normal activities, after surgery. If the doctor is defensive or not forthcoming with numbers, it usually means he/she hasn't had enough experience to be an expert. Having instructed surgeons worldwide on a number of gynecological procedures, Dr. Lyons' conversion ratio is less than one per cent. Patients seek his treatment from throughout the world. He is reachable at toll-free number 1-888-454-0400.
Center for Women's Care &
Reproductive SurgeryŠ 2006 |
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