Ovarian function after radical hysterectomy for stage IB carcinoma of cervix

Ovarian function was assessed in 20 patients after radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection for Stage IB cervical carcinoma. All patients were under 45 years of age, and four were or had been on estrogen therapy for postmenopausal symptoms. The other 16 patients were free of symptoms and demonstrated premenopausal gonadotropin profiles. Fourteen of these 16 had luteal phase serum progesterone levels. Only one patient required reoperation for a pathologic condition of the adnexa. A surgical approach to Stage IB cervical carcinoma conserves ovarian function in 80% of patients.