Awareness of surgical techniques and fertility among early-career gynecologists performing total laparoscopic cystectomy for ovarian mature cystic teratoma

Objective: In Japan, total laparoscopic cystectomy for ovarian mature cystic teratoma (TLC-MCT) is commonly performed by early-career laparoscopists. However, some experienced gynecological surgeons view TLC-MCT as a technically demanding surgery that requires surgical proficiency. Additionally, postoperative ovarian reserve directly affects fertility potential in assisted reproductive technology. This poses a contradiction: inexperienced laparoscopists perform proficiency-dependent procedures with substantial impacts on fertility. While developing expert skills from the outset is unrealistic, supervising and junior gynecologists should focus on optimizing the learning curve. Thus, we surveyed early-career gynecologists on their awareness of surgical techniques and fertility considerations in TLC-MCT.