Assessing gonadal function after childhood ovarian surgery

We aimed to assess the late effects of ovarian salvage or oophorectomy on gonadal function and fertility as measured by menstrual regularity.

We performed a 10-year retrospective review of females aged 20 years or younger who required surgery to treat an ovarian disorder. A mail survey was distributed to these patients to evaluate the effects of ovarian surgery on menarche, menstrual regularity, and pregnancy.

A total of 180 females had surgery to treat an ovarian disorder. Eighty-six of these underwent unilateral oophorectomy (48%), whereas 94 (52%) had an ovary sparing procedure. Eighty-one patients (45%) returned completed surveys. Of the respondents, 44 had oophorectomy, and 37 had ovarian salvage. Ages of menarche were similar between surgical groups. Symptoms of menstrual irregularity differed most significantly according to painful menses (oophorectomy, 27.3%; salvage, 59.5%; P < .04). Interestingly, continuation of regular menses after surgery was higher in the oophorectomy group (oophorectomy, 70%; salvage, 15%; P = .013).

Unilateral oophorectomy does not appear to impair late gonadal function when compared with ovarian salvage. Surprisingly, oophorectomy appears to maintain more normal ovarian activity as estimated by menstrual regularity. Oophorectomy may be performed without apparent adverse effect on gonadal activity.