The effect of prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy on ovarian reserve in patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy

Background Bilateral salpingectomy has been proposed to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, but it is not clear whether the surgery affects ovarian reserve. This study compares the impact of laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign disease with or without prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy on ovarian reserve. Methods Records were reviewed for 373 premenopausal women who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy with ovarian reserve for benign uterine diseases. The serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and three-dimensional antral follicle count (AFC) were assessed before surgery and 3 and 9 months postoperatively to evaluate ovarian reserve. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they underwent prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy. The incidence of pelvic diseases was monitored until the ninth month after surgery. Results There was no significant difference between the two surgery groups in terms of baseline AMH, E2, FSH, LH, and AFC (all P > 0.05). There was no difference in potential bias factors, including patient age, operative time, and blood loss (all P > 0.05). There was also no significant difference between the two groups 3 months after surgery with respect to AMH (P = 0.763), E2 (P = 0.264), FSH (P = 0.478), LH (P = 0.07), and AFC (P = 0.061). Similarly, there were no differences between groups 9 months after surgery for AMH (P = 0.939), E2 (P = 0.137), FSH (P = 0.276), LH (P = 0.07) and AFC (P = 0.066). At 9 months after the operation, no patients had malignant ovarian tumors. The incidences of benign ovarian tumors in the salpingectomy group were 0 and 2.68 % at 3 and 9 months after surgery, respectively, and the corresponding values in the control group were 0 and 5.36 %. The incidences of pelvic inflammatory disease in the salpingectomy group were 10.72 and 8.04 % at 3 and 9 months after surgery, respectively, while corresponding values in the control group were 24.13 and 16.09 %. Conclusions Prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy did not damage the ovarian reserve of reproductive-age women who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy. Prophylactic bilateral salpingectomy might be a good method to prevent the development of ovarian cancer. Larger clinical trials with longer follow-up times are needed to further evaluate the risks and benefits.

Spontaneous Bilateral Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy in a Low-Risk Patient: A Case Report with Implications for Preoperative Patient Counseling

Bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancies (BTP) are the rarest form of ectopic pregnancy. They are difficult to diagnose preoperatively, and an evidence-based guideline for management does not exist. In this report, we discuss a 35-year-old patient who presented with suspected right tubal ectopic pregnancy. BTP was diagnosed intraoperatively, and a laparoscopic bilateral salpingectomy was performed without complication. The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by pathology. This case highlights the importance of patient counseling and comprehensive preoperative planning. Due to the poor presurgical diagnosis of BTP, patient counseling should include the possibility of BTP, appropriate options for management, and potential loss of fertility following treatment. In addition, all cases of suspected ectopic pregnancy necessitate a thorough preoperative investigation of bilateral adnexa and intraoperative inspection of the pelvis.