Oophorectomy

Excerpt

Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of the ovary and can be unilateral or bilateral. Hysterectomy is the most common major gynecologic surgery, but salpingo-oophorectomy remains a frequent concomitant surgery. Surgery for ovarian pathology alone is still often encountered in females of all ages. While surgical removal of one ovary does not grossly affect the hormonal status of a patient, bilateral oophorectomy will render a patient infertile and menopausal with ensuing physiologic changes and risks. Forward-thinking discussions should be held with the patient before undertaking an oophorectomy.