oophorectomy
Pronunciation: oh-of-uh-REK-tuh-mee
Surgical removal of one or both ovaries.
Full Definition
Surgical procedure involving removal of one ovary (unilateral oophorectomy) or both ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy). Indications include ovarian cancer, benign ovarian tumors, severe endometriosis, BRCA gene mutations, or hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Bilateral oophorectomy in premenopausal women results in immediate surgical menopause with associated symptoms and long-term health implications. Often performed concurrently with salpingectomy (salpingo-oophorectomy) due to shared blood supply and cancer prevention benefits. Requires careful consideration of hormone replacement therapy needs.
Usage
Usage note: Specify unilateral or bilateral; distinguish from salpingo-oophorectomy in surgical documentation.
In Context
- "Prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy was recommended due to strong family history of ovarian cancer." — Genetic counseling note
- "Left oophorectomy was performed for a suspicious complex ovarian mass." — Operative report