<P> Partial oophorectomy or ovariotomy is a term sometimes used to describe a variety of surgeries such as ovarian cyst removal or resection of parts of the ovaries . This kind of surgery is fertility - preserving, although ovarian failure may be relatively frequent . Most of the long - term risks and consequences of oophorectomy are not or only partially present with partial oophorectomy . </P> <P> In humans, oophorectomy is most often performed because of diseases such as ovarian cysts or cancer; as prophylaxis to reduce the chances of developing ovarian cancer or breast cancer; or in conjunction with hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). </P> <P> The removal of an ovary together with the Fallopian tube is called salpingo - oophorectomy or unilateral salpingo - oophorectomy (USO). When both ovaries and both Fallopian tubes are removed, the term bilateral salpingo - oophorectomy (BSO) is used . Oophorectomy and salpingo - oophorectomy are not common forms of birth control in humans; more usual is tubal ligation, in which the Fallopian tubes are blocked but the ovaries remain intact . In many cases, surgical removal of the ovaries is performed concurrently with a hysterectomy . The formal medical name for removal of a woman's entire reproductive system (ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus) is "total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo - oophorectomy" (TAH - BSO); the more casual term for such a surgery is "ovariohysterectomy". "Hysterectomy" is removal of the uterus (from the Greek ὑστέρα hystera "womb" and εκτομία ektomia "a cutting out of") without removal of the ovaries or Fallopian tubes . </P> <P> Oophorectomy for benign causes is most often performed by abdominal laparoscopy . Abdominal laparotomy or robotic surgery is used in complicated cases or when a malignancy is suspected . </P>

What is the removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries