Ovarian cystectomy / oophorectomy

What is ovarian cystectomy?

An ovarian cystectomy is a procedure to remove ovarian cysts with the preservation of the affected ovary. Oophorectomy is a procedure to remove the whole ovary.

The procedure may be done via keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) or by an incision through the belly (laparotomy).

What are the risks?

There are risks and complications to this procedure:

• Bleeding, requiring blood transfusion
• Infection, requiring antibiotic treatment
• Injury to scrounging organs (such as bladder, bowel, ureter) requiring further surgery to correct problems. Sometimes an injury is not recognised during an operation and you may need additional surgery at a later time.
• Bowel blockage
• Poor wound healing
• Formation of adhesions
• Incomplete removal of ovary
• General risks to surgery (lung collapse or infection, heart attack , stroke, blood clots in legs or lungs)