Salpingectomy and Oophorectomy

March 11, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Barbara Buttin, M.D., gynecologic oncologist and associate clinical professor, Department of Surgery, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Chicago.

Salpingectomy and oophorectomy are surgeries that may be used to treat or prevent ovarian or fallopian tube cancer and some other gynecologic cancer types. Salpingectomy is the removal of some or all of the fallopian tubes. Oophorectomy is the removal of one or both ovaries.

What Is a Salpingectomy?

A salpingectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the fallopian tubes, which are the part of the female reproductive system that connect the ovaries to the uterus. A salpingectomy may be recommended:

• To treat cancer that has been found in the fallopian tubes or parts of the ovaries
• To stop cancer from spreading outside the fallopian tubes
• To prevent fallopian tube or ovarian cancer for patients at high risk of developing these diseases

What Is an Oophorectomy?

An oophorectomy is a surgical procedure to remove one or both ovaries, which are the part of the female reproductive system that produces eggs and certain sex hormones. The ovaries are found at one end of the fallopian tubes. An oophorectomy may be recommended:

• To treat cancer that has been found in the ovaries
• To treat endometriosis, a non-cancerous condition which can cause pain, vaginal bleeding and infertility, or other non-cancerous cysts
• To prevent ovarian cancer, for patients at high risk of developing the disease

What Is a Salpingo-Oophorectomy?

A salpingo-oophorectomy is a surgery that combines a salpingectomy and an oophorectomy. During a salpingo-oophorectomy, doctors may remove some or all of the fallopian tubes, as well as one or both ovaries. Salpingo-oophorectomy is the most common treatment for all types of ovarian cancer.

Types of Surgeries

The type of salpingectomy or oophorectomy a patient undergoes depends on a variety of factors. Women with ovarian or fallopian tube cancer may receive unilateral or bilateral surgery.

Unilateral

Unilateral salpingectomy is the removal of part of all of one of the fallopian tubes.

Unilateral oophorectomy is the removal of only one ovary.

Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of part or all of one fallopian tube as well as one ovary.

Bilateral

Bilateral salpingectomy is the removal of part or all of both fallopian tubes.

Bilateral oophorectomy is the removal of both ovaries.

Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of part of all of both fallopian tubes as well as both ovaries. This surgery may be combined with a hysterectomy (the removal of the uterus) for patients with ovarian cancer.

Which type of surgery a patient’s cancer care team recommends depends on factors such as the type of cancer she has, its stage, whether it has spread elsewhere in the body, the patient’s age and personal preferences and her overall health.

Surgical Approaches

Doctors may use several different surgical techniques to perform a salpingectomy, an oophorectomy or a salpingo-oophorectomy. A patient’s cancer care team shares which approach may be most effective for her, based on her unique diagnosis.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is performed using small incisions in the abdomen. The ovary or fallopian tube is removed through these small incisions using a long, narrow medical instrument called a laparoscope. Laparoscopic surgery leaves smaller scars, promotes faster recovery and may have fewer side effects than conventional surgery.

Open Surgery

Open surgery involves removing the ovary or fallopian tube through a larger incision in the abdomen. Recovery from open surgery usually takes longer than recovery from laparoscopic surgery.

Recovery

How long it takes to recover from a salpingectomy or an oophorectomy depends on a range of things, including what type of surgery a patient has and what surgical technique was used.

Many patients who have laparoscopic surgery go home the same day. Patients who undergo open surgery may stay in the hospital for several days. At-home recovery also depends on the extent of the surgery, but for most women, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover.

Side Effects

Immediately after a salpingectomy or oophorectomy, many women experience some common side effects of gynecologic surgery, such as pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen, vaginal bleeding and changes to bowel movements. In most cases, these are easily treated and resolve quickly.

However, there are also some side effects specific to salpingectomy or oophorectomy, including:

• Early onset menopause, which may include symptoms such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness
• Infertility, if the ovaries were removed during surgery

The patient’s care team will share any specific side effects to look for depending on which surgery was performed.