Laparoscopic oophorectomy: Comparative study of ligatures, bipolar coagulation, and automatic stapling devices

OBJECTIVE: We assessed laparoscopic oophorectomy using three techniques. METHODS: From January 1989 to October 1991, 65 patients underwent laparoscopic oophorectomy using three techniques: bipolar coagulation, pretied ligature placement, and automatic stapling devices. The patients were aged 18-57 years and had the indications of pain, ovarian endometriosis, adhesions, unilateral blocked tubes, breast cancer, and recurrent benign ovarian cysts. The primary method of adnexal removal involved the automatic stapling device in 17, bipolar coagulation in 30, and pretied ligatures in 18. RESULTS: Total anesthesia time ranged from 45-123 minutes, with means of 77 minutes for pretied ligatures, 84 minutes for bipolar coagulation, and 84 minutes for automatic stapling devices. Sixty-two patients were discharged within 23 hours, two stayed two nights, and one stayed three nights. Rectus muscle bleeding and hematoma formation were the only complications in this series. CONCLUSION: All three methods of laparoscopic oophorectomy are effective, with similar operative times and uniformly good results for the patients.