Laparoscopic ovariectomy for whole human ovary cryopreservation: technical aspects

ObjectiveTo describe the technique of laparoscopic ovariectomy with a view to cryopreservation of a whole ovary with its vascular pedicle.DesignDescriptive study.SettingGynecology research unit in a department of gynecology in a university hospital.Patient(s)Women with indications for chemotherapy or radiotherapy who are at high risk of premature ovarian failure.Intervention(s)Laparoscopic ovariectomy for whole ovary cryopreservation in nine patients.Main Outcome Measure(s)Feasibility of laparoscopic ovariectomy for whole ovary cryopreservation and later autotransplantation without delaying chemotherapy.Result(s)The whole ovary was successfully removed by laparoscopy and cryopreserved by arterial catheterization in all nine patients.Conclusion(s)Ovariectomy with a view to whole ovary cryopreservation for future transplantation may be performed by laparoscopy. Great care must be taken to remove the ovary, together with a large part (≥5 cm) of the infundibulopelvic ligament, allowing dissection of the ovarian vessels, perfusion with a cryoprotective medium, and cryopreservation for subsequent autografting of the whole ovary. The period of ischemia between ligation of the ovarian pedicle and ovarian cryopreservation must be as short as possible.