ABSTRACT
The history of primary surgery for ovarian neoplasms dates back to the 18th century. Until then, ovarian cysts were considered incurable. In 1701, a large cystic tumor had been evacuated successfully via laparotomy by Robert Houstoun of Scotland, but the ovary was left in situ.1 In 1775, William Hunter recommended aspiration of ovarian cysts, but did not perform the procedure.1,2 Removal of an ovarian cyst was performed by Johannes Theden and by Samuel Hartman d’Escher, in the years 1771 and 1807, respectively.2
The first published ovariotomy for ovarian cancer was performed in 1809 by Ephraim McDowell in Kentucky and reported in 1817 along with two other cases.3
Despite significant initial skepticism towards surgical extirpation of ovarian tumors voiced by physicians in Europe and the USA, oophorectomy for the treatment of ovarian tumors gained popularity and acceptance. By 1856, 212 oophorectomies had been reported, 8 years later 787.1
