The future function and fortune of ovarian tissue which is retained in vivo during hysterectomy.
Hysterectomy was performed for 2,132 private patients; one third were done vaginally and two thirds, abdominally. Ages ranged from the 20's through the 80's, but 55% were between 40 and 55 years of age. Ovarian function was retained at the time of hysterectomy in 1,263 patients; ovarian tissue was retained in 1,557. Based on clinical criteria, 525 patients had continued ovarian function until last examined (one to 23 years); 328 had continued ovarian function until the end of the study (one to 25 years); 410 patients had cessation of ovarian function during the study at ages ranging from 41 to 64 years. Fourteen patients required second operations: three for hemorrhagic physiologic cysts, two for adhesions, one for ovarian endometriosis, four for cystadenomas, and four for ovarian cancer. Two cancer patients died; two are alive and well, five and 15 years after the second operations.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002979:Climacteric; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods; D007045:Hysterectomy, Vaginal / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000209:etiology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D010388:Pelvis; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013997:Time Factors; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology