hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy /-salping′gō·ō′əfərek″təmē/ [Gk, hystera + salpinx, tube, oophoron, ovary, ektomē, excision] , surgical removal of one or both ovaries and oviducts along with the uterus, performed commonly to treat malignant neoplastic disease of the reproductive tract and chronic endometriosis. Removal of the ovaries and oviducts is routinely done with a hysterectomy on menopausal or postmenopausal women. To prevent the severe symptoms of sudden menopause in premenopausal women, a portion of one ovary is left, unless a malignancy is present. If both ovaries are removed and no malignancy is present, estrogen replacement therapy is often begun immediately. Elastic stockings or bandages may be applied to the legs to prevent circulatory stasis because thrombophlebitis of the blood vessels of the pelvis or thigh is a frequent complication. The lower half of the bed is kept flat, and the patient is instructed not to flex the thighs or knees. Low back pain or scanty urine may indicate a ligated ureter. Compare hysterectomy.
