Laparoscopic Oophorectomy

Laparoscopic oophorectomy is a surgical procedure deployed to extract one or both ovaries. Ovaries are almond-shaped organs that sit on either side of the uterus in the pelvis. Ovaries contain eggs and produce hormones that regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle.

When an oophorectomy procedure removes only one ovary, it is called unilateral oophorectomy. When it removes both the ovaries, it is called a bilateral oophorectomy. It can also be done as part of a larger surgical procedure where the uterus is removed, referred to as a hysterectomy.

Conditions That May Call for Removing an Ovary

Ovary removal surgery, medically known as oophorectomy surgery, may be recommended for conditions such as large or persistent ovarian cysts, certain tumours, or as part of treatment for gynaecological cancer. Whether one or both ovaries are removed depends entirely on your specific diagnosis and, where relevant, your future fertility considerations. Where fertility preservation is a priority, this is discussed in detail beforehand, since it directly shapes the surgical approach recommended.