Multiple pregnancy with adnexal torsion after in vitro fertilization: case report

Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are widely accepted procedures for infertile couples. Rare complications, like heterotopic pregnancy, bilateral tubal pregnancy, and adnexal torsion during pregnancy, have been diagnosed with increasing frequency after ART. We present a case of an early triplet pregnancy complicated with adnexal torsion. The patient was pregnant through in vitro fertilization. Early ultrasound examination revealed a triplet pregnancy within the uterine cavity. At 7 weeks' gestational age, an acute onset of lower abdominal pain, progressive abdominal distension, and massive internal bleeding prompted emergency laparotomy. The right ovary was enlarged, twisted, necrotic and hemorrhagic. Attempts to preserve the ovary failed because of the friable nature of the affected ovary, and an oophorectomy had to be performed. Although the removed ovary contained a corpus luteum, the pregnancy continued smoothly after only short luteal support. A precise pre-surgery diagnosis in our case was difficult based on the patient's initial clinical presentation. However, with high clinical suspicion in addition to color Doppler ultrasound, the physician should be able to make an early decision for an exploratory laparotomy or laparoscopy, gaining the benefit of more conservative treatment.