Oophorectomy and salpingectomy

An oophorectomy and salpingectomy usually take between 30 to 90 minutes.

During the operation, you will be under general anaesthetic. The procedures can be carried out in two ways:

• Open laparotomy – your gynaecologist will make a vertical or horizontal cut (incision) in your lower belly and remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries through it. This is usually the approach if there is a large ovarian cyst, or if you have ovarian cancer and other organs may also need to be removed.
• Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery) – your gynaecologist will make a few small cuts (incisions) in your lower belly and insert a camera and other instruments to remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries through the small holes. Keyhole surgery is the preferred approach as recovery is much faster.

Depending on your operation, you may be able to go home on the same day.

Most patients who have keyhole surgery will be able to go home the same day but may occasionally need to spend a maximum of one night in the hospital. Usually, it will take around two weeks to recover. 

If the surgery was done as an open laparotomy, most patients will spend up to two nights in hospital. It might take up to a month before you can return to normal activities.

You may experience some minor bleeding and bruising around the incision(s).

Your gynaecologist or specialist nurse will discuss with you how you can prepare. If you are having a general anaesthetic, you will be advised to stop eating and drinking for a few hours before the procedure.