01
Ovarian or tubal cancer
Removal may form part of staging or cancer surgery. A gynaecologic oncologist should plan suspected malignancy to avoid tumour rupture and ensure appropriate staging.
Gynaecologic Surgery · India · Medifly Healthcare
Salpingo-Oophorectomy in India — precise surgery, clear answers at every step.
Removal of one or both ovaries and fallopian tubes may be recommended for an ovarian or tubal mass, cancer, torsion, severe endometriosis, infection, or inherited cancer risk. Medifly connects you with senior gynaecologic surgeons and coordinates your treatment from report review to recovery.
- Doctor AppointmentsWith India's top specialists
- Medical Visa InviteDocumentation assistance
- Translation ServicesArabic · Russian · French · more
- Transparent Treatment CostsNegotiated, all-inclusive quotes
- Best Hospitals MatchedApollo · Fortis · MGM · Gleneagles
- Stay & AccommodationNear-hospital, family-friendly
- Post-Treatment Follow-UpRemote consults after you return
One side or both?The choice changes fertility and hormone effects. Your surgeon must explain it before consent.
Minimally invasive firstMost uncomplicated cases can be assessed for laparoscopic or robotic surgery.
1–2 hoursTypical operation time; complex cancer surgery may take longer
3–4 cutsUsually used for laparoscopic access
0–2 nightsTypical keyhole stay, depending on clinical recovery
2–4 weeksCommon return-to-routine range after uncomplicated keyhole surgery
Understanding the operation
What is a salpingo-oophorectomy?
It is surgery to remove an ovary together with its fallopian tube. “Salpingo” refers to the fallopian tube; “oophorectomy” means removal of an ovary.
Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO) removes one ovary and one tube. If the remaining ovary and tube are healthy, hormone production and the possibility of natural pregnancy may continue.
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) removes both ovaries and both tubes. Before natural menopause, this causes immediate surgical menopause and permanent loss of natural egg production. It requires a careful discussion about fertility preservation, menopausal symptoms, bone and heart health, sexual health, and whether hormone therapy is safe.
Important: This procedure does not automatically remove the uterus. A hysterectomy is a different operation and is added only when medically indicated and agreed in advance.
Why it may be needed
Seven clinical situations where your doctor may recommend surgery.
02
Suspicious ovarian mass
A complex, growing, symptomatic, or postmenopausal mass may need removal when imaging and blood tests cannot safely rule out cancer.
03
BRCA or inherited risk
Risk-reducing bilateral surgery may be discussed after genetic counselling for BRCA1, BRCA2, Lynch syndrome, or another proven high-risk variant.
04
Ovarian torsion
A twisted ovary is an emergency. Surgeons try to untwist and preserve it when viable; removal may be necessary if tissue is non-viable or a dangerous mass is present.
05
Severe endometriosis
Selected patients with severe pain, recurrent endometriomas, or organ damage may need removal after fertility goals and less radical options are considered.
06
Infection or abscess
A tubo-ovarian abscess that does not improve with antibiotics and drainage, or one that has ruptured, may require urgent surgery.
07
Benign disease or complication
Large cysts, recurrent masses, tissue damage, bleeding, or complications discovered during another pelvic operation may occasionally make removal appropriate.
Decision first, surgery second
When should you not rush into ovary removal?
Except in an emergency, the diagnosis, alternatives and long-term effects should be clear before consent.
Questions your specialist should answer
- Is the mass likely benign, borderline, or malignant?
- Can the cyst alone be removed while preserving the ovary?
- Do I need one side removed, or both?
- Is hysterectomy or cancer staging genuinely necessary?
- Should a gynaecologic oncologist perform the operation?
- What happens to fertility, hormones and menopause?
Seek urgent care now if you have
- Sudden severe one-sided pelvic or abdominal pain
- Pain with vomiting, fainting, fever or dizziness
- Heavy bleeding or symptoms of shock
- Rapidly increasing abdominal swelling or breathing difficulty
- Severe pain during pregnancy or after fertility treatment
These can signal torsion, rupture, internal bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, or severe infection. Do not wait for an online consultation.
How surgery is performed
The operation — step by step.
1
Assessment
History, pelvic examination, ultrasound or MRI/CT, pregnancy testing when relevant, blood work and tumour markers where indicated.
2
Planning
The team confirms unilateral or bilateral surgery, fertility wishes, surgical approach, pathology plan and any possible additional procedure.
3
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is normally used. Blood-clot and infection prevention are tailored to your individual risk.
4
Removal
The surgeon seals the blood supply and removes the tube and ovary, generally in a specimen bag to reduce spillage.
5
Pathology
The tissue is examined. If cancer is suspected, specialised processing and staging may affect the final treatment plan.
Surgical approaches
The safest route depends on the size, diagnosis and complexity.
L
Laparoscopic surgery
Keyhole instruments and a camera are used through small abdominal cuts. It is common for benign disease and selected early cancers, with less pain and faster recovery than open surgery.
R
Robotic surgery
A surgeon controls robotic instruments with magnified 3D vision. It may help in complex minimally invasive cases, but is not automatically better or necessary for every patient.
O
Open surgery
A larger abdominal incision may be safest for a very large mass, widespread cancer, major adhesions, uncontrolled bleeding, or when intact specimen removal is critical.
Pre-operative checklist
Tests and records your surgeon may need.
Medical information
- Recent pelvic ultrasound, MRI or CT images and reports
- CA-125 or other tumour markers if ordered
- Biopsy, cytology, genetic test and family-history records
- Previous surgery notes and pathology reports
- Current medicines, allergies and medical conditions
Safety and planning
- Blood count, kidney/liver tests, blood group and clotting tests
- ECG, chest testing and anaesthesia review when indicated
- Pregnancy test when relevant
- Fertility consultation before removing both ovaries, if desired
- Menopause and hormone-therapy plan before premenopausal BSO
Send what you already have. You do not need to wait until every test is complete. Medifly can arrange a specialist review and tell you which missing tests are genuinely necessary.
Recovery guide
What to expect after salpingo-oophorectomy.
| Stage | Typical experience | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| First 24 hours | Pain around the cuts, bloating, mild vaginal spotting, tiredness, and sometimes shoulder-tip pain after laparoscopy. | Prescribed pain relief, fluids, gentle walking and breathing exercises. |
| Days 2–7 | Energy improves gradually. Bowel movements may be slow. Wounds should stay clean and dry as advised. | Short walks, hydration, protein-rich meals and no heavy lifting. |
| Weeks 2–4 | Many uncomplicated keyhole patients resume desk work and normal light activity, subject to surgeon clearance. | Increase activity gradually; follow driving, exercise, bathing and sex restrictions. |
| Weeks 4–8+ | Open surgery, cancer staging or complications can require longer recovery. | Attend pathology and follow-up visits; follow the personalised oncology plan. |
Contact your hospital urgently for fever, worsening abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, repeated vomiting, wound redness or discharge, calf swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or inability to pass urine.
Long-term health
Fertility and surgical menopause must be planned — not discovered afterwards.
If one ovary is removed
If the remaining ovary is healthy, it can often continue producing hormones and eggs. Natural conception may still be possible if the remaining tube and other reproductive factors are favourable. Your individual fertility depends on age, ovarian reserve, diagnosis and prior treatment.
If both ovaries are removed
Natural egg production ends and premenopausal patients enter surgical menopause immediately. Symptoms can include hot flushes, sleep change, vaginal dryness, mood changes and reduced sexual comfort. Longer-term bone and cardiovascular health need active follow-up.
Hormone therapy may help selected patients, but it is not suitable for everyone—particularly with certain hormone-sensitive cancers. The decision belongs with your gynaecologist or oncologist after reviewing age, diagnosis, uterus status, cancer risk and personal history.
Benefits and risks
A balanced decision includes both.
Potential benefits
- Removes diseased, damaged or suspicious tissue
- Provides definitive pathology diagnosis
- May treat or help stage ovarian or tubal cancer
- Can reduce cancer risk in appropriately selected high-risk patients
- May relieve symptoms from severe endometriosis, torsion, or recurrent masses
Possible risks
- Bleeding, infection, blood clots or anaesthetic complications
- Damage to bowel, bladder, ureter, blood vessel or nearby organs
- Need to convert keyhole surgery to open surgery
- Adhesions, persistent pain, hernia or re-operation
- Reduced fertility or permanent infertility
- Surgical menopause and associated long-term health effects after BSO
Indicative treatment cost
Salpingo-oophorectomy cost in India.
These are planning ranges—not guaranteed quotations. Final cost depends on diagnosis, hospital, surgeon, room, approach, pathology, cancer staging, complications and whether another procedure is added.
| Treatment pathway | Indicative self-pay range | Usually affects price |
|---|---|---|
| Unilateral laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy | ₹1.5–₹2.5 lakh | Mass size, imaging, pathology and length of stay |
| Bilateral laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy | ₹1.8–₹3 lakh | Risk-reducing vs therapeutic surgery and pathology protocol |
| Robotic salpingo-oophorectomy | ₹2.5–₹4.5 lakh | Robotic system, hospital, complexity and additional surgery |
| Open or cancer-staging surgery | Individual quote | Extent of disease, ICU need, staging/debulking and hospital stay |
Packages should specify surgeon and anaesthesia fees, operating theatre, room category, routine medicines, investigations, pathology, consumables, follow-up and what is excluded. Currency conversion changes daily.
Medifly patient pathway
From first message to safe return home.
1
Share reports
Send scans, lab results and medical summary.
2
Expert review
We match a gynaecologist or gynae-oncologist.
3
Care plan
Receive approach, hospital, timeline and quote.
4
Travel plan
Visa invitation, stay, pickup and interpreter support.
5
Treatment
On-ground admission, surgery and discharge coordination.
6
Follow-up
Pathology review and remote coordination after travel.
For international patients
Travel with a confirmed plan—not unanswered questions.
Medifly Healthcare supports patients travelling to India with medical visa documentation, specialist appointments, hospital admission, airport pickup, nearby accommodation, language assistance, transparent quotes and post-discharge follow-up.
Bring a passport valid for the required period, medical visa documents where applicable, current prescriptions, scan images, original reports, genetic results, insurance papers if relevant, and an accompanying adult for discharge. Do not book non-refundable travel until your treating team confirms the schedule.
Choosing the right team
Your surgeon should match the diagnosis.
Benign disease
An experienced minimally invasive gynaecologic surgeon may be appropriate.
Suspected cancer
Choose a gynaecologic oncologist with cancer staging expertise and specialist pathology support.
Fertility concern
Include a fertility specialist before irreversible surgery whenever time and diagnosis allow.
Inherited risk
Use genetic counselling and an oncology-led risk plan; a mutation result alone is not a complete surgical plan.
Medifly can coordinate care with accredited hospitals in Chennai and other major Indian medical centres. See our doctors, explore cancer hospitals in Chennai, or request an expert second opinion.
Common questions
Salpingo-oophorectomy, explained clearly.
Speak with a patient coordinator
+91 99449 38508Call or WhatsApp. Share your ultrasound/MRI, lab reports, diagnosis and proposed operation.
Is salpingo-oophorectomy the same as hysterectomy?
No. Salpingo-oophorectomy removes an ovary and fallopian tube on one or both sides. Hysterectomy removes the uterus. They can be performed together when indicated, but one does not automatically require the other.
Can the surgeon remove only the cyst?
Sometimes. Ovarian cystectomy preserves the ovary and is often considered for benign-looking cysts, particularly when fertility matters. Removal of the ovary may be safer if the mass replaces the ovary, cancer is suspected, torsion has destroyed tissue, bleeding cannot be controlled, or repeated disease has severely damaged it.
Will I still have periods after one ovary is removed?
Usually yes, if your uterus and remaining ovary are functioning. The remaining ovary can continue the menstrual cycle and hormone production. Personal outcomes vary with age, ovarian reserve and other treatment.
Will both ovaries being removed cause menopause?
Yes, if both functioning ovaries are removed before natural menopause. This is immediate surgical menopause. Discuss symptom control, bone density, heart health, sexual health and whether hormone therapy is medically appropriate before surgery.
Can I become pregnant after unilateral surgery?
Pregnancy may remain possible if the other ovary and tube work, the uterus is present and there are no other fertility problems. A fertility assessment can clarify your individual chances.
Does risk-reducing surgery eliminate all ovarian cancer risk?
No procedure makes risk zero. Bilateral risk-reducing surgery greatly lowers ovarian and fallopian tube cancer risk in properly selected high-risk patients, but a small risk of primary peritoneal cancer remains. Genetic and oncology follow-up still matter.
How long will I stay in India?
For uncomplicated keyhole surgery, many international patients plan roughly 10–14 days to allow pre-operative evaluation, surgery, early recovery and a follow-up check. Open or cancer surgery may require longer. Book only after the surgeon confirms your case-specific timeline.
How do I start?
WhatsApp your medical summary, scan reports, lab results and proposed operation to +91 99449 38508. Medifly will organise an appropriate specialist review, clarify missing tests and prepare a treatment and cost plan.
Your next step
Know exactly what needs removing—and why.
Send your reports for a specialist assessment. We will help clarify whether you need cyst removal, unilateral surgery, bilateral surgery, cancer staging, or another approach—and coordinate the hospital, cost and travel plan if you choose treatment in India.
Medical information on this page is educational and does not replace examination, diagnosis or an individual treatment recommendation.