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What is a Salpingectomy?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

A salpingectomy is surgical removal of a fallopian tube. The fallopian tubes are part of the reproductive system in women and form the needed connection between the ovaries and the uterus. Sometimes disease is present in one or both of the tubes, or other conditions like fluid build-up or ectopic pregnancy damages a single tube. In these instances and in other circumstances, salpingectomy could be considered. Occasionally it's necessary to remove both tubes, which is called a bilateral version of the procedure.

The basic procedure for a salpingectomy is to use laparoscopy. This creates a tiny incision, which allows removal of the tube. Under certain circumstances, a larger incision is required, and laparotomy or stomach incision is necessary instead. Patients can’t always know ahead of time what incision to expect since a doctor may have to change his/her mind based on conditions found during surgery. It is fair to state that laparoscopic removal is more common, however, and that some women might expect to go home on the day of their surgery or could spend a few days in the hospital recovering first.

A salpingectomy may be the safest option to treat an ectopic pregnancy.
A salpingectomy may be the safest option to treat an ectopic pregnancy.

As mentioned, there can be a number of reasons why doctors might recommend a salpingectomy. In an ectopic pregnancy, significant damage to the fallopian tube may occur, and removal of the tube would be the safest option. However, sometimes an ectopic pregnancy won’t have damaged the tube significantly and a doctor can instead perform a salpingostomy, which makes a tiny incision in the tube to remove the misplaced pregnancy. Doctors may definitely take into account a woman’s desire for future children, and could strive to perform a salpingostomy if the patient still wants to be able to have children.

A salpingectomy is surgical removal of a fallopian tube.
A salpingectomy is surgical removal of a fallopian tube.

This does not mean that a salpingectomy necessarily causes infertility. It will reduce it some and reduction may be greater if an ovary has to be removed too. Yet, some women may have conditions that are reducing fertility and that make pregnancy more favorable if a tube removal is performed. The condition hydrosalpinx causes fluid to build up in a fallopian tube and this may minimize likelihood of in vitro fertilization (IVF) working. Removal of the affected fallopian tube actually increases chances that IVF will work for these women.

Salpingectomies are most commonly performed as a laparoscopic surgery.
Salpingectomies are most commonly performed as a laparoscopic surgery.

Other conditions where this surgery might be necessary or useful include in certain forms of ovarian or uterine cancer, and potentially for things like endometriosis. When the ovaries are removed as part of this surgery, it is usually given a name that reflects this, and may be more commonly referred to as salpingo-oophorectomy.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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    • A salpingectomy may be the safest option to treat an ectopic pregnancy.
      By: 9nong
      A salpingectomy may be the safest option to treat an ectopic pregnancy.
    • A salpingectomy is surgical removal of a fallopian tube.
      By: pankajstock123
      A salpingectomy is surgical removal of a fallopian tube.
    • Salpingectomies are most commonly performed as a laparoscopic surgery.
      By: Cosmic
      Salpingectomies are most commonly performed as a laparoscopic surgery.
    • Counseling may be helpful for women who undergo a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
      By: pressmaster
      Counseling may be helpful for women who undergo a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.
    • Certain types of ovarian cancer may require a salpingectomy.
      By: joshya
      Certain types of ovarian cancer may require a salpingectomy.
    • A salpingectomy is the surgical removal of a fallopian tube.
      By: blueringmedia
      A salpingectomy is the surgical removal of a fallopian tube.
    • A salpingectomy may reduce fertility, especially if an ovary has to be removed.
      By: diego cervo
      A salpingectomy may reduce fertility, especially if an ovary has to be removed.
    • A stomach incision may be necessary during a salpingectomy.
      By: Remains
      A stomach incision may be necessary during a salpingectomy.