[Ovarian remnant syndrome: diagnostic difficulties and management]

The ovarian remnant syndrome is a rare condition after unilateral or bilateral oophorectomy, with or without a hysterectomy. This syndrome occurs when a fragment of ovarian tissue is left behind and becomes functional and cystic. The purpose of this study is to report the cases of patients treated surgically for an ovarian remnant syndrome during the last 10 years and to recall the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.

A retrospective, observational study was carried out between 1997 and 2006. Seven patients were treated surgically for an ovarian remnant syndrome. Perioperative data analysis (history, surgical techniques, and postoperative follow-up) was carried out.

The mean age of the patients was 46 years (36-55). The number of previous abdominal surgical procedures ranged from 2 to 5. The syndrome appeared after a mean period of 4 years and 4 months (range 5 months-12 years) after oophorectomy. Among the 7 patients, 3 had had a previous hysterectomy. Pelvic pain was found in all cases. Gonadotropin-releasing hormones agonists were used in 1 patient without success. Aspiration was performed in 2 cases before surgical treatment. Two patients underwent a laparotomy in the first place. Laparoscopy was performed in 5 cases and laparoconversion was necessary in 1 case. Intraoperative difficulties and anatomic variations were found in all cases. Ureteral catheters were placed in 2 cases. Radiotherapy was performed in 1 patient who had a recurrent ovarian remnant.

The ovarian remnant syndrome is a rare complication. Surgery, either by laparoscopy or by laparotomy, is the recommended treatment. These operations are often difficult and associated with a high risk of complications. Histologically, remnant ovarian tissue associated with hemorragic corpus luteum cysts is the most common finding. The prevention of the ovarian remnant syndrome is based on rigorous surgical treatment during the oophorectomy so as not to leave behind ovarian tissue.