Ovarian management during radical hysterectomy in the premenopausal patient.

Abstract

Twenty-seven percent of our premenopausal women with retained ovaries have experienced early loss of hormonal function or required subsequent oophorectomies. For an accurate estimate of ovarian longevity, all patients would have to be followed through menopause. Compliance in taking hormone medication was high in our young patients. Sexual function was not adversely affected following castration. A hypothetical cost comparison favored removing, rather than retaining, the ovaries. We recommend that elective BSO be performed on most premenopausal women undergoing radical hysterectomies for cervical carcinoma.