A recent health report from the ABC highlights a number of Journal articles outlining the fact that many cases of ovarian cancer probably in fact start within the fallopian tubes. Prophylactic removal of the fallopian tubes appears to decrease the subsequent development of ovarian cancer. This knowledge over the last few years has meant that many gynaecologists including myself would routinely perform salpingectomy or removal of the tubes at the time of hysterectomy and in perimenopausal patients the ovaries would be left intact for this reason.
Removal of the tubes is a relatively simple procedure and any patient having abdominal surgery for an incidental reason such as removal of the gallbladder or endometriosis surgery after pregnancy planning has been complete should consider having tubes removed at the same time.
Historically tying the fallopian tubes or applying clips was used as a common method of sterilisation. Over recent years the situation has changed such that vasectomy has become vastly more common and it is now rare to see patients undergoing tubal sterilisation. With this new knowledge of a decrease in ovarian cancer risk I believe more women following completion of their family should consider removal of the tubes rather than vasectomy for their partner.