Oophorectomy (ovary removal): an OR 101 guide
Reviewed by Rodnie Oro, cath lab charge nurse · Last reviewed: October 2026 · Education only, not medical advice
Oophorectomy in one minute
What it is: usually keyhole surgery to remove one ovary (unilateral) or both (bilateral), often with the tube.
Who it is for: people with ovarian cysts or masses, twisted ovary (torsion), endometriosis, or a high inherited cancer risk.
Main risks: bleeding, infection, injury to bowel, bladder or ureter (rare), early menopause after removing both.
Usually: under general anaesthetic, 30–90 minutes, often home the same day.
On this page: What is an oophorectomy? · Who is it for? · When is it done? · Step by step · Recovery · Risks · Kit list · First time in theatre? · FAQ
What is an oophorectomy?
The ovaries release eggs and make hormones until menopause.
- Unilateral oophorectomy: one ovary removed; the other keeps working
- Bilateral oophorectomy: both removed; before menopause this causes immediate menopause
- often done with the tube (salpingo-oophorectomy), per surgeon
A twisted ovary (torsion) is an emergency; sometimes the ovary can be untwisted and kept. Suspicious masses may be handled under cancer pathways, per centre.
New to the acronyms? See the Cath Lab Abbreviations A–Z.
Who is it for?
It may be considered for people with:
- ovarian cysts or masses
- ovarian torsion (emergency)
- endometriosis affecting the ovary
- reducing cancer risk with an inherited gene change
The decision is made by your surgical team, who will talk through the reasons, the alternatives and the risks with you.
When is it done?
Most operations are planned; some are urgent. Before it, you usually have:
- an examination, and usually an ultrasound scan
- blood tests, including blood count and group and save
- a pregnancy test where relevant
- a review of your medicines, especially blood thinners, as per centre protocol
- a chance to ask questions and give consent
Step by step
1. Getting ready
Team brief and WHO checklist first. The anaesthetic team and ODP give a general anaesthetic and insert a breathing tube; antibiotics and blood-clot prevention are given as per centre protocol. The circulating practitioner checks positioning, pressure areas, the diathermy plate, warming, and that the camera stack and gas insufflator work. The scrub practitioner sets up the laparoscopic trolley and an open set in case of conversion, and does the first count.
2. Access
Usually laparoscopic: a port at the belly button and two lower ports. Open surgery for large or suspicious masses, per surgeon.
3. Removing the ovary
- A. Inspection. The pelvis and both ovaries are inspected; washings may be taken.
- B. Vessels sealed. The ovarian blood vessels are sealed and divided, keeping the ureter safe.
- C. Ovary freed. The ovary (and tube) is freed.
- D. Removed in a bag. It is placed in a bag and removed, avoiding spillage.
4. Finishing
The gas is let out, ports removed and the larger cuts closed (deep layer, per surgeon), then the skin with sutures or glue. Local anaesthetic is often injected into the wounds. Final counts are confirmed, specimens labelled and checked, and the patient goes to recovery with a full handover.
Recovery and aftercare
- First hours: in recovery, then a ward or day unit; pain relief and anti-sickness medicine.
- Going home: often the same day.
- Activity: walking early; avoid heavy lifting for about 2 weeks; ask your team.
- Bleeding: some vaginal bleeding or discharge is common for a short time.
- Sex and driving: ask your team when it is safe.
- Follow-up: results and review, as per centre protocol.
- Menopause: if both ovaries are removed before menopause, your team will discuss hormone treatment.
Call 999 if you have heavy bleeding, severe pain, breathlessness, chest pain or collapse. Contact your team or GP if you have a fever, smelly discharge, pain or swelling in a leg, or a wound that becomes red, hot or leaky.
Risks and complications
Your team will explain the risks that apply to you. Possible problems include:
- bleeding
- infection
- injury to the bowel, bladder, ureter or blood vessels (rare)
- early menopause after removing both ovaries
- blood clots in the legs or lungs
- conversion to open surgery
Theatre kit list (printable)
Example kit list
Every theatre has its own protocol, and sizes and doses vary.
- laparoscopic stack: camera, scope, light source, gas insufflator and warmer
- ports, sizes per device and operator, and an entry needle or open-entry kit, per surgeon
- laparoscopic graspers, scissors, dissectors and suction-irrigation
- energy device, per surgeon
- specimen retrieval bag
- washings pots, per surgeon
- uterine manipulator, per surgeon
- closure sutures and dressings
Procedural steps
- Team brief, WHO sign in; anaesthesia; antibiotics as per centre protocol
- Positioning; bladder empty; prep and drape; count
- Ports; inspection; washings if needed
- Vessels sealed; ovary freed
- Specimen bagged and removed
- Haemostasis; closure; counts; specimen check; sign out and handover
First time in theatre?
đź’ˇ First-time tip
- Know your role. Scrub, circulating, anaesthetic and ODP each have their own checks; ask at the team brief.
- Counts matter. Swabs, needles and instruments are counted before, during and at closure; speak up if one is missing.
- Specimens. Label every specimen with site and side, and check it with the scrub practitioner before it leaves theatre.
- Camera ready. Learn to white-balance the camera and warm the scope to stop fogging.
- Open set ready. An open tray stays available in case keyhole surgery has to convert to open.
FAQ
Will I go into menopause?
Only if both ovaries are removed before menopause.
Can I still get pregnant with one ovary?
Often yes.
Is it keyhole?
Usually.
Related guides
Sources
All checked on 14 October 2026. Each page's own date is shown where it gives one.
- NHS. Ovarian cyst. nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cyst
- StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), search: oophorectomy. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
- StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf), search: ovarian torsion. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
- World Health Organization. Surgical Safety Checklist. who.int
Disclaimer
Education only. This page is for general education for healthcare students, theatre staff and curious readers. It isn't medical advice and doesn't replace advice from your own doctor, surgical team or local unit protocols. Equipment and medicines are described generically. No product or manufacturer is recommended. If you think someone is having a medical emergency, call 999.
Disclosure: I work in the medical device industry. This page is independent education and isn't sponsored or reviewed by any company.
All diagrams on this page are original illustrations created for rodnieoro.com.
