Shall we talk about salpingectomy?

Has your doctor told you that you need to have a salpingectomy? Or have you heard about it somewhere and are you curious to know more about it? Perhaps a friend or relative of yours has been scheduled to have this surgery. The name may sound a little strange, but don't worry. This is a common type of surgery performed in gynecology for various reasons. So today, let's find answers to all your questions about this. Let's talk about everything simply and in a way that you can understand, without putting any burden on your mind.

Simply put, what is a salpingectomy?

Okay, let's start at the beginning. A salpingectomy is a surgical procedure that removes one or both of your fallopian tubes.

Now you might be wondering what these fallopian tubes are. Think about it, there are two main parts of a woman's reproductive system, the ovaries and the uterus. The ovaries are where eggs are produced. The uterus is where the baby is produced. So, there are two thin tubes that carry an egg from the ovary to the uterus. Those two tubes are what we call the fallopian tubes . They are like two bridges that carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus. Most of the time, fertilization occurs inside these fallopian tubes.

So, in a salpingectomy, one or both fallopian tubes are completely surgically removed.

What are the main types of this surgery?

This surgery can be divided into two main types. It depends on whether one or both fallopian tubes are removed. It is very important to have a clear understanding of this.

Why would someone want to have this surgery?

You may be wondering, "Why would you just remove your fallopian tubes?" There can be several reasons for this. Some are emergency, life-saving, and some are planned, to reduce future risk.

Here are some of the main reasons:

• Ectopic Pregnancy: This is often the main reason for this emergency surgery. Normally, an embryo should implant in the uterus. But sometimes it implants in the fallopian tube. Since the embryo does not have room to grow inside the tube, the tube can rupture. This can cause severe internal bleeding and even be life-threatening. So, in such cases, it is essential to remove the damaged fallopian tube.
• Cancer: If there is cancer in the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, this surgery can be performed as a treatment.
• To reduce the risk of cancer: This is a very important point. It has now been discovered that some severe ovarian cancers actually start in the fallopian tubes. Therefore, this surgery is recommended for women who have a hereditary risk of cancer (for example, those with BRCA gene mutations ) to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer in the future.
• Infections of the fallopian tubes: Some severe infections can damage the fallopian tubes and cause them to fill with pus. This condition is called `(Hydrosalpinx)`. In such cases, the tube may also have to be removed.
• Endometriosis: In this condition, tissue similar to that found inside the uterus grows in places like the fallopian tubes. This can cause problems like severe pain and blocked tubes. In such cases, surgery can also be a solution.
• Blocked or Damaged Tubes: If the fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked due to previous infections, surgery, or other reasons, doctors may recommend removing them.
• Permanent Birth Control: Bilateral salpingectomy, which involves removing both fallopian tubes, is now widely used as a permanent birth control method for those who no longer want children.

How is the surgery done?

There are two main methods for performing this surgery. The surgeon will choose the most appropriate method based on your condition and the reason for the surgery.

What happens after the surgery? How is the recovery time?

The recovery time after surgery varies greatly depending on the type of surgery you had.

• After laparoscopic surgery:
• You will probably be able to go home that same evening.
• For a few days, you may feel a little pain in the incisions and a slight feeling of fullness in your stomach. The doctor will give you painkillers for that.
• You can usually return to normal activities within a week or two .
• After open surgery:
• You will have to stay in the hospital for one or more days.
• The incision is large, so the pain may be a little more intense. It may also be a little difficult to move around.
• It can take about 4 to 6 weeks to fully recover and return to normal life.

Remember these things during your recovery:

• Do not lift weights: Do not lift any weights until your doctor tells you to.
• Exercise: Stay away from strenuous exercise for a while.
• Sexual intercourse: Talk to your doctor about this and follow his or her advice.
• Driving: Avoid driving until you have taken painkillers and feel completely well.

Will my periods stop if my fallopian tubes are removed?

No. Your period is controlled by hormones produced by your ovaries. Since your ovaries are not removed during this surgery, your menstrual cycle will continue as normal. You will have your period every month.

Will I go into menopause early because of this surgery?

No. Menopause is also something that happens when the ovaries stop functioning. Removing the fallopian tubes has no effect on that.

So, what happens to the egg that is released from the ovaries that were not removed?

This is a question that many people ask. Since there is no fallopian tube, there is no way for the egg to reach the uterus. So, the egg dissolves in the abdominal cavity and is reabsorbed by the body. This is very normal. This is the same thing that happens during a normal menstrual cycle without pregnancy. It does not cause any harm to the body.

Will I be unable to have a child after the surgery?

This depends on the type of surgery you had.

• If only one tube is removed (Unilateral): If the other tube is healthy, you can get pregnant naturally .
• If both tubes are removed (Bilateral): You cannot get pregnant naturally. However, if your uterus and ovaries are healthy, you may have the opportunity to have a baby through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) . IVF involves fertilizing one of your eggs and your partner's sperm in a laboratory, and then implanting the resulting embryo directly into your uterus.

What are the symptoms that require seeing a doctor after surgery?

It is very important to take care of your body when you go home after surgery. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital.

• Excessive redness or swelling around the incision.
• A yellow liquid or pus-like substance is draining from the wound.
• Unbearable stomach pain.
• High fever or chills.
• Burning or pain when urinating.
• Pain or swelling in the legs, especially in the groin area (this could be a sign of a blood clot).