Remove or spare ovaries at hysterectomy?

Dr. Menzin responds:

The association between hysterectomy without oophorectomy and a reduced rate of ovarian cancer is an epidemiologic finding; the potential explanations for this finding remain hypotheses.

As to the significance of perioperative morbidity as a surgical consideration, I reiterate my impression that it is an important factor as one determines the appropriate operation for each patient. To ignore an individual’s history in favor of statistics that describe groups of patients, I feel, would be imprudent.

We certainly all agree that informed dialogue is at the heart of optimal patient care.