Objective: To determine if the new technique laparoscopic lateral tran
sposition of the ovaries before pelvic radiotherapy for anal canal car
cinoma prevents radiation-related ovarian failure. Design: A case repo
rt. Setting: The operating room of a Canadian teaching hospital. Patie
nts: A single patient with anal canal carcinoma, requiring pelvic radi
otherapy, who desired preservation of ovarian function. Interventions:
Laparoscopic ovarian transposition to the level of the pelvic brim. M
ain Outcome Measures: Follow-up clinical and laboratory evidence of ov
arian failure. Results: Initially ovarian failure was confirmed with t
he appearance of postmenopausal symptoms and the elevation of serum go
nadotropins. These symptoms resolved by 8 months after radiotherapy, n
ormal menstrual cycles resumed, and normal FSH levels were detected at
that time. Conclusions: The laparoscopic, lateral transposition of th
is patient's ovaries was effective at preventing radiation-related ova
rian failure.