Salpingectomy is the surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes. These tubes provide a pathway for an egg to travel from an ovary to the uterus, where it may be fertilized.
A doctor may recommend removing one or both fallopian tubes for the following reasons:
Contraception
Removing both fallopian tubes prevents pregnancy by taking away the egg’s means of reaching the uterus.
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than inside the uterus.
If it implants in a fallopian tube, a surgeon may have to remove the tube to prevent it from rupturing and causing life-threatening bleeding.
Prevention of ovarian cancer
The current theory about how ovarian cancer develops is that it begins in a fallopian tube. From there, many doctors believe that the cancer cells travel to the ovary.
If a person has a high risk of ovarian cancer, their doctor may recommend a salpingectomy to reduce it.
Treatment for cancer
A doctor may recommend removing certain gynecological organs, including one or both fallopian tubes, a means of treating some types of cancer.
What to expect before surgery
The doctor or surgeon should explain the general procedure and the specific approach. They should also describe:
- risks, benefits, and alternatives to the procedure
- the expected duration of the surgery
- how long the person can expect to stay in the hospital
- how long the whole recovery is likely to take
What to expect from recovery
After surgery, anesthesia and nursing professionals will take the patient to a post-anesthesia care unit or recovery room. There, the team will monitor vital signs and pain levels to check for any immediate complications and to keep the patient comfortable.
Depending on the procedure and the person’s response, they may leave the hospital the same day. When the surgery is extensive, as with a TAH-BSO, the person may need to stay overnight for close monitoring.
The person will receive a prescription for pain relief medication and instructions on caring for the surgical incision and when to resume activities, such as showering. Anyone who experiences anything concerning during recovery should contact their healthcare team.
Recovery from a minimally invasive procedure is usually shorter than recovery from an open procedure.
