The surgically removed ovary

Abstract

The study of 665 cases in which the ovaries were surgically removed has revealed the following facts and permitted certain opinions to be formulated: 1.1. Although the presence of follicular cysts is usually not considered significant, in this series 45.1 per cent were associated with hypermenorrhea and 64.6 per cent with myomas of the uterus.2.2. The benign serous and pseudomucinous cysts occurred about equally in all age groups.3.3. The malignant form of the pseudomucinous cyst affects an older age group than the serous type.4.4. The large majority of patients having benign cystic teratomas were between the ages of 21 and 40 years.5.5. Two-thirds of the patients having fibromas of the ovary were over 45 years of age.6.6. The removal of any ovary from a patient under 30 years of age should be done only after a qualified observer has declared that the ovary is abnormal or associated disturbances require oophorectomy.7.7. It is urged that normal ovaries should not be removed from women under 45 years of age at the time of hysterectomy for benign lesions.8.8. There is no increased incidence of ovarian cysts subsequent to hysterectomy.9.9. The advantages experienced from retaining a normal ovary in the women under 45 years of age far outweigh the slim possibility of the development of a primary ovarian malignant tumor. No instance of a primary ovarian malignant tumor occurred in a retained ovary in 71 cases studied.10.10. All women in whom ovaries have been retained during a hysterectomy should have pelvic examinations every six months even though the development of pathologic disturbances in such ovaries is rare.