An oophorectomy is surgery to remove one or both of the ovaries. The ovaries are almond-shaped organs that sit on each side of the uterus in the pelvis. The ovaries contain eggs and produce hormones that control the menstrual cycle.

When an oophorectomy (oh-of-uh-REK-tuh-me) involves removing both ovaries, it's called bilateral oophorectomy. When the surgery involves removing only one ovary, it's called unilateral oophorectomy. Sometimes surgery to remove the ovaries also involves removing the nearby fallopian tubes. This procedure is called a salpingo-oophorectomy.

An oophorectomy can be done as part of a hysterectomy, which is an operation to remove the uterus. Not every hysterectomy procedure involves removing the ovaries.

Before oophorectomy

A member of your healthcare team will tell you when and where to arrive for your oophorectomy. If other preparation is needed, you may start in one area and move to another area for surgery. The surgery is often done as an outpatient procedure. Most people go home on the same day.

During oophorectomy

An oophorectomy is usually performed under general anesthesia, so you're in a sleep-like state during the surgery. To access the ovaries, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen.

Where the incision is placed depends on what type of surgery you're having and the reason for the surgery. Sometimes oophorectomy surgery uses one longer incision. This type of surgery is sometimes called open surgery or a laparotomy.

Sometimes the surgeon makes a few small incisions in the abdomen to get to the ovaries. Special tools go through the incisions to perform the procedure. This includes a tiny camera that transmits video that the surgeon uses to guide the tools. This type of surgery is sometimes called a minimally invasive surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Minimally invasive surgery also can be done with the help of a surgical robot. During minimally invasive robotic surgery, the surgeon sits at a console and uses controllers to operate the tools.

The type of surgery your surgeon uses depends on your situation. People who have minimally invasive surgery tend to recover more quickly. They may have less pain and spend less time in the hospital. But minimally invasive surgery isn't right for everyone. Sometimes the surgery starts out as minimally invasive surgery but needs to switch to an open procedure.

Once the incision or incisions are made in the abdomen, the surgeon works to remove the ovaries. One or both ovaries are separated from the blood supply and surrounding tissue. They are then taken out of your abdomen through the incision. The fallopian tubes or uterus may be removed at this time if that is part of the surgical plan.

As the surgery is completed, the incision is closed with stitches. Often these stitches are the type that dissolve over time.

After oophorectomy

After an oophorectomy, you can expect to:

• Spend time in a recovery room as your anesthesia wears off.
• Move to a hospital room where you may continue recovering.
• Get up and about as soon as you're able to help your recovery.

Most people can go home after oophorectomy surgery and won't need to spend the night in the hospital.

An oophorectomy may be done to treat or prevent certain health issues. It may be used for:

• A tubo-ovarian abscess. A tubo-ovarian abscess is a pus-filled pocket involving a fallopian tube and an ovary.
• Endometriosis. Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the uterus lining grows outside of the uterus. It can cause cysts to form on the ovaries, called endometriomas.
• Noncancerous ovarian tumors or cysts. Small tumors or cysts may form on the ovaries. Cysts may burst and cause pain and other problems. Removing the ovaries can prevent this.
• Ovarian cancer. Oophorectomy may be used to treat ovarian cancer.
• Ovarian torsion. Ovarian torsion happens when an ovary becomes twisted.
• Reducing cancer risk. Oophorectomy may be used in people who have a high risk of ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Oophorectomy lowers the risk of both kinds of cancer. Research shows that some ovarian cancers start in the fallopian tubes. Because of this, the fallopian tubes may be removed during an oophorectomy that's done to lower the risk of cancer. A procedure that removes the ovaries and the fallopian tubes is called a salpingo-oophorectomy.