Who Might Need Their Tubes Removed?
You may have a salpingectomy to
- Treat an ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants in a fallopian tube instead of your uterus. Without treatment, ectopic pregnancies can lead to life-threatening bleeding. Your provider may need to remove your fallopian tube.
- Treat gynecologic cancers: Removing your fallopian tubes may help treat some types of cancer.
- Prevent ovarian cancer: Research shows that many ovarian cancers start in the fallopian tubes. If you are at risk for ovarian cancer, your provider may recommend removing your fallopian tubes.
What Happens During a Salpingectomy?
Depending on your risk factors and needs, your surgeon may remove one or both of your fallopian tubes. We aim to use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible and appropriate. For many women, minimally invasive surgery can lead to faster healing and less pain.
During a minimally invasive salpingectomy, your surgeon
- Makes a few small incisions in your lower abdomen (belly).
- Inserts a small camera and surgical tools through the incisions.
- Removes one or both fallopian tubes.
Your surgeon may also remove your ovaries at the same time (oophorectomy). We often use this approach to treat cancer, ectopic pregnancy, or an ovarian torsion (twisting of your ovary).
Excellence in Gynecologic Surgery
At Kettering Health, Soin Medical Center has achieved certification as a Center of Excellence from the Surgical Review Corporation in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. This designation means our surgeons are specially trained to use advanced techniques and offer safe care.
Our surgeons are the only ones in western Ohio who offer single-site salpingectomies. With this approach, we can operate using a single incision. These innovative surgeries offer the benefit of leaving only one easy-to-conceal scar.
