prophylactic salpingectomy
Prophylactic salpingectomy is a preventive surgical removal of fallopian tubes performed on patients who are at higher risk of having ovarian cancer, such as individuals who may have BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.
By not removing the ovaries this procedure is advantageous to individuals who are still of child bearing age. It also reduces risks such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis which are associated with removal of the ovaries.
Ovarian cancer may not originate in the ovaries themselves but start in the fallopian tubes.
Currently, the only intervention proven to reduce ovarian cancer risk is removal tubes and ovaries, at age 35–40 for BRCA1 carriers or age 40–45 for BRCA2, which has been shown to decrease incidence by 80-96%.
This can be done laparoscopically as procedure when another operation is performed (Opportunistic) or as planned operation.