Post-Op exam

It was pretty short and sweet. I went in Monday afternoon and the doctor read over his operative report. I brought my pictures so he could point out stuff to me. Basically my "mass" was what he referred to a a "phantom mass." It was just scar tissue with a bunch of fluid around it. It appeared as a mass in my MRI and CT. But it wasn't really much. He said he tried to remove it and was careful to hopefully prevent scar tissue like that from forming again but of course there is a chance it could grow back. So I just have to hope for the best. He did show me that my uterus has an irregular shape to it. He thinks it might be from some small fibroids. My mom has them so its not surprising that I do. He did ask what my family plans were. I told him I'd like to have more kids someday but my husband and I knew that if something happeneded to where I wouldn't be able to then we'd be okay with that. We have a boy and a girl and really couldn't ask for much more. I know fibroids are common and most of the time aren't a huge issue but there are of course risks of complications getting pregnant again or even during pregnancy if they become too large. So for now I just enjoy that I don't have any other pain and hope that nothing develops in the future. He said I wouldn't need to come back until my yearly exam next year or unless I have pain or something. So I'm in the clear! Woohoo! Now lets hope I can go more than 5 years without any pain like that again!

I'm also going to include my operative report in here so when I eventually get this printed out I'll have another copy of it.

History: Ms. Audrey Spence is a 28 year old female with a pelvic mass. She was taken to the operating room for diagnosis and possible evacuation. She had an ultrasound, CT, and MRI trying to evaluate the nature of this mass and with all these evaluations, this was not clear. The patient was taken to the operating room for diagnostic laparoscopy and possible evacuation of the mass.

Surgeon: Dr. Vered

Assistant: None

Estimated Blood Loss: less than 25 cc.

Complications: None

Findings: Upon entry into the abdomen, both ovaries and uterus were visualized. The right ovary was a bit enlarged but without any cyst on it. The left ovary appeared normal. The both tubes appeared normal. The uterus appeared somewhat irregular, compatible with some small fibroids. The cul-de-sac was bound by intestinal content and with counter tractions, it was apparent that no other masses were noted. These were adhesions which were fulgurated and transected, and the bowel was removed from the pelvis. Upon removal of the bowel from the pelvis, no masses could be identified and it was therefore determined that those masses appeared to have been convuluted bowel that was adherent in place due to the adhesions. The instruments were removed. Sponge and instrument count was complete. The gas was evacuated. The stab wound incisions were closed with dermabond. The patient was awakened and taken to recovery room in excellent condition.

Procedure in detail: The patient was taken to the operating room was placed on operating table in the supine position. General anesthetic was administered. She was then placed in dorsal lithotomy position with legs in Allen stirrups. The abdomen, vagina, and vulva were prepped and draped in a sterile fashion. The bladder was drained. The cervix was cannulated with a Hulka tenaculum. A stab wound incision was made infraumbilically and a Veress needle introduced into the peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity was insufflated, and a 5mm laparoscope was subsequently introduced. Under direct vision, 2 accessory trocars were introduced and the findings above were noted. The adhesions were dissected. The mass was completely evaluated and no evidence of such mass were present. The instruments were removed. Sponge and instrument count was complete. The patient was awakened and taken to recovery room in excellent condition.