Oophoropexy and ovarian function in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease

Fifty-four female patients under 45 years of age were followed-up for assessment of ovarian function after treatment for Hodgkin's disease. Forty-six patients had oophoropexy performed, but it was found that in only 28 (60.8%) were the ovaries sufficiently displaced from their normal positions that, had an inverted 'Y' field of irradiation been applied, the ovaries would have been spared. In the 12 patients who were treated by irradiation alone (including an inverted 'Y' field), only one patient maintained normal ovarian function. Therefore, it is suggested that oophoropexy and the shielding performed at inverted 'Y' irradiation has proved of limited value in preserving ovarian function further measures should be taken.