Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy (also commonly called ovariectomy) consists in the removal of one or both of the female patient’s ovaries through a specific medical procedure. In the case of humans, this type of medical procedure is performed if the patient is suffering from certain medical conditions, especially from ovarian cancer, ovarian cysts, and so on. Another reason for which a female may have to undergo this type of surgical operation is as a prophylactic way of reducing her chances of developing breast or ovarian cancer. This procedure can also be employed in conjunction with another surgery, uterus removal.

Salpingo-Oophorectomy consists in the removal of only one of the female’s ovaries, along with the removal of the Fallopian tube; the removal of both ovaries and that of both Fallopian tubes is called Bilateral Salpingo Ovariectomy. These types of surgical procedures are not commonly employed as contraception (birth control) methods. In case the patient wants to be sterilized, a more common medical procedure is tubal ligation – in this case, both the Fallopian tubes are blocked, but the female’s ovaries are not affected. In numerous clinical cases, this type of surgical procedure – removal of the ovaries, is accompanied by a hysterectomy; thus, the procedure is called Ovariohysterectomy.

Female patients who present a high risk of suffering from breast cancer, especially those females who present mutated BRCA1 and 2 genes, may have to undergo this type of surgical procedure, as studies have shown that their risk of suffering from this type of cancerous condition decreases after the patient undergoes Oophorectomy. Furthermore, patients who have been submitted to this form of surgical procedure present a reduced risk of suffering from ovarian cancer, and an ease of their endometriosis-related problems. However, only in very rare cases is this medical procedure employed as a therapy for endometriosis-related medical problems. Such a clinical ailment is generally dealt with through a procedure called ovarian cyst removal, a technique that does not involve total ovariectomy. Oophorectomy has proven to be quite effective in the therapy of milder cases of endometriosis, even in the case of patients in which non-surgical therapy courses (hormonal therapies) were not effective against the abnormal formation of cysts.

Oophorectomy Description

This type of medical procedure (Oophorectomy) is performed either under regional anesthesia or under general anesthesia. The surgeon will perform an abdominal hysterectomy, an incision that can be either horizontal or vertical; even if horizontal incisions leave a scar that is less easily noticed, certain surgeons prefer vertical cuts, as they offer the practitioner a wider, better view of the female’s abdominal cavity. After the surgeon makes the abdominal incision, he or she stretches apart the abdominal muscles (the muscles are not cut) in order to be able to see the ovaries. After the surgeon gets a clear view of the ovaries, he or she will carefully remove them, and along with them, the Fallopian tubes.

In certain cases, Oophorectomy is performed through a laparoscopic medical procedure. In this case, the surgeon will make a very small incision in the patient’s navel, and through it, he will insert a small tube that contains a light source and a small lens. The tube can also present a small camera that will enable the practitioner see the female’s abdominal cavity on an especially designed monitor. The ovaries are then removed through a very small incision that is performed at the top of the patient’s vagina. In some cases, the organs are cut into smaller pieces that are then individually removed.

The performing of an abdominal incision has several advantages; for example, in this way, the female’s ovaries can be removed even if the patient presents numerous adhesions that have resulted from previous medical operations. In this way, the medical practitioner obtains a clear view of the female’s abdominal cavity, and is also able to check the surrounding tissue, in the search for symptoms of any medical conditions. If the medical practitioner suspects that the patient is suffering from ovarian cancer, he or she will surely perform a vertical incision. A disadvantage is the fact that Oophorectomy can lead to severe bleeding, as a common complication.

Oophorectomy Related Medication

After the patient undergoes this type of surgical procedure, the female will experience certain discomfort. The severity of this symptom is known to vary from one clinical case to another; studies have shown that it is more severe in the case of abdominal incisions. A patient who has undergone Oophorectomy will probably be prescribed an antibiotic therapy in order to minimize her risks of suffering from a post-operative infection. If the female was suffering from ovarian cancer, she will also have to undergo radiation therapy and also chemotherapy.

The adverse clinical manifestations that a female can experience after she has undergone Oophorectomy may be eased if the female starts a therapy course with medications different from the well known hormonal replacement treatment. Actonel and Fosamax (drugs that belong to the class of non-hormonal biphosphonates) are known to increase bone strength and are generally prescribed to be taken once every 7 days. Therapy courses with Prozac and / or Paxil (drugs that are considered very effective low-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are able to ease vasomotor menopausal clinical manifestations (for instance, hot flashes).  

If you are interested in learning more about the most common medical products that can be prescribed to a patient who has undergone Oophorectomy you should discuss this matter with your personal health care provider. He or she will also describe to you in what way will a therapy with such medical remedies help you improve you current medical status. You can then go to your local pharmacy and ask for the professional leaflets of the medical products which you have been prescribed by your PD, as the labels of most remedies are very reliable sources of medical information about the ingredients of the product, its way of action and also its unwanted adverse clinical manifestations. You should always keep in mind that this article is only a supplement to the professional expertise of your physician, as it is not able, under no circumstances, to replace it.