[Removal or conservation of ovaries during hysterectomy for benign lesions]

At the time of hysterectomy, the aging ovary presents a dilemma. We conducted a prospective study to assess the feasibility of systematic oophorectomy in women 50 years or older and a retrospective study of hysterectomy history in patients who developed cancer of the ovary. Our finding and data in the literature point out the requirement for careful assessment of two aspects of the problem, one technical (feasibility of adnexectomy) and the other functional (ovary function and risk of cancer on the retained ovary).