Oophorectomy (ovary removal surgery)

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Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration of a normal ovary Normal ovary
Illustration of ovarian cancer Ovarian cancer
Illustration showing endometriosis Endometriosis
Illustration of ovarian torsion Ovarian torsion
Illustration of hysterectomy types Types of hysterectomy surgery

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Oophorectomy may be performed for:

  • A tubo-ovarian abscess — a pus-filled pocket involving a fallopian tube and an ovary
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Endometriosis
  • Noncancerous (benign) ovarian tumors or cysts
  • Reducing the risk of ovarian cancer or breast cancer in women at increased risk
  • Ovarian torsion — the twisting of an ovary

Oophorectomy combined with other procedures
Oophorectomy can be performed with other surgical procedures, including surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy). In women with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, oophorectomy is often combined with surgery to remove the fallopian tubes in a procedure called salpingo-oophorectomy.

Risks Definition
References
  1. Schorge JO, et al. Surgeries for Benign Gynecologic Conditions. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=514. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011.
  2. Mikio N, et al. Perioperative consideration in gynecologic surgery. In: DeCherney AH, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment Obstetrics & Gynecology. 10th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2390832. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011.
  3. Valea FA, et al. Oophorectomy and ovarian cystectomy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 28, 2011.
  4. Parker WH, et al. Effect of bilateral oophorectomy on women's long-term health. Women's Health. 2009;5:565.
  5. Laparoscopy and ovarian cancer: A paradigm change in the management of ovarian cancer? Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. 2009;16:250.
  6. Medeiros LRF, et al. Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for benign ovarian tumour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010;CD004751.
  7. Mettler L, et al. Robotic assistance in gynecological oncology. Current Opinion in Oncology. 2008;20:581.
MY00554 April 16, 2011

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