Ovarian remnant syndrome

Ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) refers to a condition occurring in women who have had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), with or without a hysterectomy, that leaves behind ovarian tissue. This residual ovarian tissue then results in pelvic pain or a pelvic mass. Risk factors associated with incomplete removal of an ovary and subsequent development of ORS include a history of endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, multiple previous surgeries, and pelvic adhesive disease. Patients most frequently present with chronic pelvic pain, pelvic pain associated with a pelvic mass, or an asymptomatic pelvic mass. Definitive criteria for diagnosis of ORS include a history of BSO with histologic documentation of ovarian tissue obtained during subsequent surgical excision. The recommended treatment for ORS is surgical excision by laparotomy or, more recently, laparoscopy. We present the presentation and management of patients with ORS and a review of the published literature.