Ovarian management at the time of radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer was reviewed retrospectively over a 7-year period. All patients had early-stage cancer except three who had stage IIB disease. Approximately 80% of patients had squamous cancer and 20% adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma. The mean age was 44, and 24% of patients were 35 or younger. Ninety-nine patients had their ovaries removed. None of the ovaries contained metastatic disease including 22 patients with adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma. Of the 17 patients with retained ovaries 14 had transposition into the paracolic gutters. Only one of the 14 patients with transposed ovaries developed symptoms of ovarian failure. No patients with retained ovaries developed metastatic disease or required reoperation secondary to new ovarian pathology. It is our opinion that normal ovaries can be preserved in young women at the time of radical hysterectomy for early cervical cancer regardless of histologic type.