• surgical procedures
• operative
• gynecologic surgical procedures

Ovarian transposition offers preservation of hormonal function and fertility potential in women receiving pelvic radiation therapy for various malignancies (eg, cervical/colorectal cancer, pelvic lymphoma/sarcoma).1 The procedure has been recommended for those with low risk of ovarian metastases and with acceptable ovarian reserve.2

The first ovarian transposition described by Batten and Brown in 1952 in a patient with pelvic neuroblastoma involved wrapping of the ovaries sutured together with a homemade lead sheath and attaching them to the anterior parietal peritoneum.3 Since then different surgical approaches have been described including open/laparoscopic approach, with different transposition sites such as the psoas muscles and the paracolic gutters,1 and with4 or without5 retroperitoneal tunneling of the ovarian vessels.

We describe a surgical technique of high ovarian transposition without retroperitoneal tunneling of ovarian vessels. First, the gonadal vessels are mobilized retroperitoneally toward their origin – from the aorta and inferior vena cava on the right and the aorta and left renal vein on the left. The ovaries are then lateralized to the upper abdomen without compromising the blood supply. This technique offers the advantage of minimizing the potential risk of ovarian damage from exposure to scattered radiation. In addition, transposition of the ovaries to the upper abdomen allows the radiation field extension cephalad without compromising the ovarian function. Similar to other reports,5 we had no incidences of bowel obstructions in our series of over 30 cases. The presented procedure was performed in a 19-year-old, G0P0 woman with neurofibromatosis type 1 and 20 cm right groin malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor awaiting pelvic radiotherapy. The appropriate patient consent has been obtained for the publication of this (Video 1).

The high laparoscopic ovarian transposition procedure includes: (1) inspection of the peritoneal cavity for metastases, (2) retroperitoneal dissection and creation of the perirectal and paravesical spaces, (3) bilateral resection of the utero-ovarian ligaments, (4) bilateral opportunistic salpingectomy, (5) complete bilateral ureterolysis (from the renal hilum to the pelvic brim), (6) retroperitoneal paraaortic dissection with bilateral ovarian vessels skeletonization to their origin inferior to the renal vessels, (7) bilateral colon mobilization to facilitate mobilization of the infundibulopelvic ligaments to the upper abdomen, (8) bilateral oophoropexy to the paracolic gutters – above the inferior liver edge on the right and above the splenic flexure on the left, while ensuring the blood supply is not twisted or kinked, (9) securing the ovaries to the peritoneum using permanent sutures such as 2.0 silk, and (10) application of titanium clips at the ovarian level for permanent radiation marking. Ovarian perfusion is assessed at the conclusion of the procedure by observing the patency of the gonadal vessels, the lack of torsion of the vascular pedicles, and the healthy color of the transposed ovaries. Long-term ovarian function can be assessed clinically using symptom assessments and biochemically using serum hormonal measurements.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Figure 1

Transposed and secured ovaries above the inferior liver edge on the right and above the splenic flexure on the left.