title: Opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy during gynaecological surgery for benign disease: A survey of current Australian practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent evidence supports the fallopian tube as the site of origin for many pelvic serous cancers (PSC) including epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC). As a result, a change in practice with opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy (OBS) at the time of hysterectomy has been advocated as a preventative strategy for PSC in a low-risk population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess current clinical practice in Australia with respect to OBS during gynaecological surgery for benign indications.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous online survey was sent to all active Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG) Fellows in Australia. Data regarding clinician demographics and the proportion of clinicians offering OBS were collected. Reasons for and against offering or discussing OBS were sought. A descriptive analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 26% (280/1490) with 70% of respondents offering or discussing OBS to women undergoing gynaecological surgery for benign indications, usually at the time of abdominal (96%) or laparoscopic (76%) hysterectomy. The main reason for offering or discussing OBS was current evidence to suggest the fallopian tubes as the site of origin for most EOC. Main reasons for not offering OBS were insufficient evidence to benefit the woman (36%) or being unaware of recent evidence (33%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survey responses indicate that OBS is frequently discussed or offered in Australia, usually at the time of hysterectomy. Given the lack of robust evidence to suggest a benefit at a population-based level, a national registry is recommended to monitor outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.|University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Sydney West Advanced Pelvic Surgery Unit, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Supuni
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kapurubandara
authors.affiliation: Sydney West Advanced Pelvic Surgery Unit, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gurram
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.|Sydney West Advanced Pelvic Surgery Unit, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Anbu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anpalagan
authors.affiliation: Sydney West Advanced Pelvic Surgery Unit, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Merkur
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Gynaecological Oncology Department, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.affiliation: University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Gynaecological Oncology Department, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brand
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D002585:Cesarean Section; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010358:Patient Participation; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D065286:Prophylactic Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058994:Salpingectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: fallopian tubes; opportunistic; ovarian cancer; prevention; salpingectomy