Oophorectomy — Procedure Guide, Recovery & Risks | MyMedicPlus

Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) ovaries. It may be performed alone or combined with salpingectomy (salpingo-oophorectomy) to treat ovarian cancer, endometriosis, cysts, or for risk-reducing prophylaxis in BRCA carriers.

Indications include ovarian cancer, borderline ovarian tumours, large or complex cysts, severe endometriosis, ovarian torsion, ectopic pregnancy, and prophylactic risk-reduction in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers at high lifetime cancer risk.

Laparoscopic approach uses 3–4 small incisions with camera and instruments to identify, ligate, and remove the ovary. Open surgery via pfannenstiel or midline incision is used for large masses or cancer. Frozen section may guide extent of resection intraoperatively.

Laparoscopic patients typically discharge within 1–2 days and resume normal activities in 2–3 weeks. Bilateral oophorectomy before natural menopause induces surgical menopause; hormone replacement therapy is discussed to manage symptoms and protect bone health.

Surgical risks include bleeding, infection, damage to ureter or bowel, adhesion formation, and port-site hernia. Bilateral removal causes immediate surgical menopause with hot flushes, bone loss, and cardiovascular effects if HRT is not used.

For benign disease, laparoscopic oophorectomy has a complication rate under 3%. Prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy reduces ovarian cancer risk by over 96% and breast cancer risk by 50% in BRCA1 carriers when performed before age 40.