Lap. Oophorectomy

Lap. Oophorectomy (Ovary Removal Surgery)

Laparoscopic oophorectomy is the surgery performed to remove ovaries and fallopian tubes. Either one fallopian tube or one ovary can be removed or both of them can be removed in a single surgery. Oophorectomy is often necessitated when the presence of cancer is spotted in the ovaries or if the hormones produced by the ovaries are likely to produce breast cancer. In some cases the ovaries are removed in advance to prevent the possibility of future cancer infliction to the ovaries.

Fallopian tubes connect ovaries to uterus. Ovaries are located in the lower abdomen and produces eggs and hormones estrogen and progesterone. If the tubes or the ovary is inflicted with cysts, tumors, cancer etc. the only way to rescue the patient is the removal of the affected parts.

In Lap oophorectomy a laparoscope is inserted to the lower part of the abdomen through a small incision made in the abdomen. Miniature instruments for operation are allowed to enter the abdomen through other incisions made in the abdomen. The laparoscope is a tube with a video camera connected to one end of the tube.  The end with the video camera is inserted into the inner abdominal area through a small incision in the abdomen. The other part of the tube is connected to a monitor placed on the operation table through which the surgeon can view the surgery area of the patient. The miniature instruments for surgery are inserted through other small incisions in the abdomen.

 If only an ovary and fallopian tube on one side is removed, the patient will still be able to become pregnant. If both the fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed it will make the patient infertile.

Preparations for the surgery

If you are a regular user of any antidepressant, antihypertensive or similar drugs inform the physician and act according to his advice.

Inform your doctor about all the treatments that you are now undergoing and inform him if you are pregnant at present. Also inform him the details of previous surgeries you have been subjected to.

If excess bleeding occurs blood transfusion may become necessary. So you can donate your blood which is known as autologus donation. Ask your friends and relatives to donate blood.

Prepare your bowel by drinking the medicine given for this as advised. You are not allowed to drink or eat anything 8 hours prior to the time fixed for surgery.

You or a close relative will have to sign a legal document before the surgery is started. After the surgery you will be taken to a recovery room where you will be lying till you wake up completely. When you wake up the nurse will take you to your room if you are completely normal.

Do not rise from bed without the permission of the caregiver. If you have fever or if bleeding from vagina is noticed inform the caregiver immediately.