Opportunistic salpingectomy doesn't impact ovarian reserve

(HealthDay)—Opportunistic salpingectomy conducted at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy does not appear to negatively affect ovarian reserve or increase surgical risk, according to a study published online June 24 in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Taejong Song, from the Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, and colleagues conducted a multicenter trial involving patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for treatment of symptomatic benign uterine disease. Patients were randomly allocated to opportunistic salpingectomy or no salpingectomy (34 each).

The researchers found that the two groups had similar baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. No between-group difference was seen in operative outcomes such as operative time, bleeding, or complications. In both groups the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were significantly lower after surgery versus before surgery (P < 0.001). The decline rate in AMH was 12.5 and 10.8 in the opportunistic salpingectomy and no salpingectomy groups, respectively (P = 0.898).

"Opportunistic salpingectomy at the time of laparoscopic hysterectomy did not have any negative effects on ovarian reserve or increased surgical risk," the authors write.