Ovarian remnant syndrome after laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for severe pelvic endometriosis

Ovarian remnant syndrome is a rare complication of total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). Ovarian enlargement and dense periovarian adhesions are the predisposing factors. Recurrent ovarian remnant syndrome was associated with recurrence of symptomatic endometriosis in a woman who underwent laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy and BSO for severe endometriosis and extensive pelvic adhesions. After primary surgery she required five additional procedures for complete resection of all ovarian remnants. Definitive surgery for advanced endometriosis with extensive periovarian adhesions may be complicated by ovarian remnant syndrome and reactivation of the disease. Careful retroperitoneal resection of all ovarian tissue is of paramount importance in preventing the syndrome. This, however, may be a limitation of laparoscopic surgery. The choice between laparoscopy and laparotomy in such cases should be individualized and based on the degree of surgical difficulty and the surgeon's level of experience.