Ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) is a potential complication arising from performing an OHE incorrectly (other complications can include haemorrhage from ligations, ineffective wound healing, retained surgical sponges or foreign bodies (gossypibomas), and inadvertent ureteral ligation). When a spay is performed correctly, both ovaries are completely removed, thus preventing further production of the reproductive hormones oestrogen and progesterone. However, if a small amount of ovarian tissue remains, these hormones will continue to be produced. The clinical signs relating to this are known as Ovarian Remnant Syndrome.
In this article, we explore the reasons why this occurs, how to identify, manage and, importantly, prevent future cases.