ovariotomy

surgery

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Last updated

July 15, 2026

Quick Summary

Ovariotomy is a surgical procedure involving an incision into an ovary. It is also known as an oophorectomy. Ovariectomy, a related term, also refers to the surgical removal of an ovary. The first known use of the term "ovariotomy" was in 1844, while "ovariectomy" was first used in 1889.12

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Ephraim McDowell
He performed his first ovariotomy on Jane Todd Crawford. Without anesthesia or antisepsis, he removed a 20-pound tumour. Crawford lived for more than 30 years afterward. McDowell performed a total of 13 ovariotomies, 8 of them successful, despite prevailing opinion that such an operation would necessarily be fatal.
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He performed his first ovariotomy on Jane Todd Crawford. Without anesthesia or antisepsis, he removed a 20-pound tumour. Crawford lived for more than 30 years afterward. McDowell performed a total of 13 ovariotomies, 8 of them successful, despite prevailing opinion that such an operation would necessarily be fatal.
Read More