Pronounced: o-frek-toe-me
Oophorectomy is the removal of one or both ovaries. This may be combined with removing the fallopian tubes (salpingo-oophorectomy). Removal of the ovaries and/or fallopian tubes are often done as part of a complete or total hysterectomy .
An oophorectomy may be done to:
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have an oophorectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor before the surgery.Your doctor may do the following:
Leading up to your procedure:
There are two different methods:
A cut will be made either horizontally (side to side) across the pubic hair line or vertically (up and down) from navel to pubic bone. Horizontal (bikini) incisions leave less of a scar. Vertical incisions give the surgeon a better view inside the abdomen. The abdominal muscles will be pulled apart. The surgeon will be able to see the ovaries. The blood vessels will be tied off. This will help to prevent bleeding. The ovaries, and often the fallopian tubes, will be removed. The cut will be closed with staples or stitches.
The laparoscope is a thin tool with a tiny camera on the end. It will be inserted through a small cut near the navel. This will let the surgeon see the pelvic organs on a video monitor. Other small cuts will be made. Special tools will be inserted through these cuts. The tools will be used to cut and tie off the blood vessels and fallopian tubes. The ovaries will be detached. They will then be removed through a small incision at the top of the vagina. The ovaries may also be cut into smaller sections and removed through the tiny cuts in the abdominal wall. The cuts will be closed with stitches. This will leave small scars.
You will be moved to a recovery area. The removed organs will be sent to a lab for examination.
1-4 hours
Anesthesia will block pain during the surgery. You will feel discomfort after your oophorectomy. Women report less pain after a laparoscopic procedure than an abdominal incision procedure. Talk to your doctor about medicine to help manage any pain.
Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise.
While you are recovering at the hospital, you may receive the following care:
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
You will stop menstruating if both of your ovaries are removed. Also, you will not be able to get pregnant. If one ovary or even just a portion of an ovary remains, you will still menstruate and may be able to get pregnant.
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://www.sogc.org/
References:
Cancer of the ovary. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists website. Available at: http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp096.cfm. Accessed June 8, 2008.
Endometrial cancer treatment. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/endometrial/Patient/page4#Keypoint14. Accessed June 8, 2008.
Rosenfeld LE. Women and heart disease. Yale University School of Medicine Heart Book website. Available at: http://www.med.yale.edu/library/heartbk/. Accessed February 20, 2008.
Last reviewed October 2009 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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