Ovariectomy is an operation that involves the removal of the ovaries. Before deciding on the need for such a procedure, doctors take into account the age of the patient, the degree of complexity of the disease and the presence of cancer processes. Particular attention is paid to the desire of a woman to maintain her reproductive function.
As a rule, conservative treatment is advisable only in the presence of a functional cyst. For other tumors, removal of the ovary (one or both) is recommended.
Before performing the operation, the doctor should conduct a histological examination, which should confirm that the neoplasm is not malignant, and only then prescribe the operation. The fact is that laparoscopic removal of the ovaries is possible with a benign tumor. If the development of a malignant process is detected, a laparotomy is prescribed with a histological examination during the operation itself.
When neoplasms are found in the ovaries, several types of surgical intervention can be prescribed. So, cystectomy surgery involves the removal of a cyst and the preservation of healthy tissue. In this case, the function of the ovaries is not disturbed, because they can be saved. After a certain time, the scar heals, and all processes resume as usual.
The higher the cyst in the ovary, the less healthy tissue is retained and the more difficult it is to maintain the possibility of its full-fledged work in the future. In this case, a wedge-shaped resection of the ovary is prescribed, during which the cyst is removed through an incision made in the form of a wedge.
Sometimes, when there is a suspicion of the development of a malignant process, healthy tissue of the second organ may be required for analysis. In this case, a biopsy is performed: a small piece of tissue is required to examine the ovary.
If tumors occur in women after menopause or in late reproductive age, doctors consider ovariectomy in several ways.
So, today the removal of the ovaries is most often carried out using laparoscopy. This is a relatively simple procedure, which involves a small incision in the navel. In the normal course of the operation, the rehabilitation period takes no more than two to three days. However, in the presence of complications, these periods may increase.
After laparoscopy, a histological examination is performed (and a part of the tissue of a healthy ovary is taken for a biopsy), which should show the degree of possibility of the development of malignant processes. In case of detection of ovarian cancer, an operation is subsequently prescribed, which will involve removal of the uterus with appendages.
In the normal course of the operation, the rehabilitation period takes no more than two to three days. However, in the presence of complications, these periods may increase.
Sometimes, when the removal of the ovaries is carried out together with the removal of the uterus, it is much safer to choose a surgical procedure that involves an abdominal incision. Of course, the recovery period in this case is longer, but when choosing this technique there are more opportunities to explore the entire pelvic area. If we are talking about health, then there is no point in caring for “comfort” and “amenities”.
Remember that in women who have removed either the uterus or the ovaries, menstruation no longer occurs. Also, after such operations, there is a decrease in estrogen production, which leads to hot flashes and increased sweating. This is very difficult for the body to carry, because such malfunctions occur without a preparatory period.