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.