What Is a Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy?
In some cases, it may be done to preventbreast cancerandovarian cancerin women with a strong genetic risk.
Surgical Approaches
There are several surgical approaches to performing a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images
An abdominal approach is when an incision is made into the abdomen to expose the organs.
Minimally invasive approaches include the use of laparoscopy.
The camera allows the surgeon to see inside the patient on a screen in the operating room.
This is a common surgery.
A modern, minimally invasive approach is calledrobotic-assisted surgery.
This is when the surgeon operates a robot from a console in the operating room to perform the surgery.
Results of This Surgery
When the ovaries are removed, women undergo immediate surgical menopause.
It also means that a woman will not be able to have children.
There are medications and treatment plans that can ease some of the symptoms following surgery.
Menopausal hormone therapy consists of estrogen and/or progesterone, which are hormones that a woman’s ovaries make.
If a woman no longer has a uterus, she can take estrogen therapy alone.
Estrogen plus progesterone therapy is recommended if a woman still has her uterus.
Summary
Salpingo-oophorectomy is the surgical removal of both fallopian tubes and ovaries.
There are treatment options available to help manage the side effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
The procedures are generally the same.
Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy means surgical removal of the uterus, both fallopian tubes, and both ovaries.
Typically, the surgery can last from one hour to several hours.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.ACOG Practice Bulletin: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome.
2016;106(7):15801587. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.018
American Cancer Society.Surgery for ovarian cancer.
