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Ovarian cystectomy / oophorectomy
Category: Women's Health & Childbirth · All women's health & childbirth
What it is
Ovarian cystectomy removes a cyst from the ovary while preserving the ovary; oophorectomy removes the whole ovary (with salpingectomy, the tube as well). Most are done by keyhole surgery.
Why it is done
Indications include persistent, large, painful or suspicious-looking ovarian cysts, twisted ovary (torsion — an emergency), endometriosis cysts, and risk-reducing removal of ovaries and tubes in people with high inherited cancer risk.
How to prepare
Assessment includes ultrasound and sometimes blood tests (tumour markers) and MRI. You fast before surgery. In pregnancy, timing is planned carefully with the obstetric team when surgery cannot wait.
What happens during the procedure
Under general anaesthetic, keyhole instruments inspect the pelvis; the cyst is separated from the ovary (cystectomy) or the ovary and tube removed (salpingo-oophorectomy), usually extracted in a bag. Surgery takes 30 to 90 minutes. Removed tissue is sent for laboratory examination.
Afterwards — recovery & results
Most people go home the same day after keyhole surgery, with one to two weeks' recovery. If only one ovary is removed, the other usually maintains hormone production and fertility. Results of tissue tests follow within a few weeks.
Risks & considerations
Risks include bleeding, infection, injury to bowel, bladder or ureter, conversion to open surgery, and effects on ovarian reserve after cystectomy (especially for endometriosis cysts). Emergency surgery for torsion aims to save the ovary where possible.
Watch: Ovarian cystectomy / oophorectomy videos
Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
Will removing one ovary affect my hormones?
Generally no — one healthy ovary produces enough hormones and eggs for normal cycles and fertility.
What if the cyst looks suspicious?
The surgical plan changes: the ovary is removed intact in a bag without spilling contents, washings are taken, and gynaecological cancer specialists guide further steps based on results.
Related procedures — Women's Health & Childbirth
Browse the O section of the A–Z list or return to the Procedures & Tests hub.