Perioperative Management of a Giant Ovarian Tumour in an Adolescence with Severe Scoliosis and Unilateral Diaphragmatic Dysfunction: A Case Report

Abstract

Though giant ovarian tumor are rare but due to the limitations in oncology surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, many oncology patients are presented with a more severe stage and giant ovarian tumors may be more commonly seen during this period. The aim of this case report study was to describe the perioperative management of an adolescent patient with a giant ovarian tumor, severe scoliosis, and unilateral diaphragm dysfunction. An 18-years-old girl weighing 28 kgBW came with a giant abdominal mass that extended to her thoracic and back areas. The patient had a history of severe scoliosis since childhood. She had signs of respiratory distress and was not comfortable lying down. Preoperatively, the surgeon used ultrasonography to guide cyst puncture using a thoracic tube and 6,500 cc of mucinous fluid was drained. Inhalational induction with preservation of spontaneous breathing was performed. Two massive masses filled the entire abdominal area, adhering to the peritoneum while pushing and tenting the diaphragm cranially and laterally to the right and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was conducted. Serial radiological examinations showed unilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction and a progressing ventilator associated pneumonia. Improving post-operative outcome of patients with giant intraabdominal masses must include preoperative assessment of potential peri-operative respiratory complications, preparation of intraoperative hemodynamic, and ventilatory disturbances with gentle weaning and multidisciplinary approach during the post-operative care to assess readiness of ventilator weaning.