How often are residual adnexal structures identified at surgery on a gynecologic oncology service after previous bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy?

Objective: To determine how often adnexal remnants are found surgically after documented bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review of all referrals to gynecologic oncology service. Patients undergoing surgery on the gynecologic oncology service after previous hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were analyzed. Results: Seventy-two patients met the inclusion criteria including having obtainable operative reports. Dysfunctional bleeding was the most common indication for the surgery involving bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, while a suspicious pelvic mass was the most common indication for referral to the gynecologic oncology service. Twenty-nine patients (40.3%) were found to have residual ovarian tissue. Residual fallopian tube tissue was found in seven patients. No specific diagnosis was statistically more likely to lead to remnant tissue (p = 0.7). Conclusion: Although the majority of patients undergoing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy had no residual ovarian or adnexal tissue, over 40% of patients were found to have residual ovarian tissue after a previous bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

Ovarian remnant; Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; Surgery.

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