Continuous vaginal and bilateral thoracic fluid drainage for management of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a serious and potentially fatal complication of ovarian stimulation. A 29-year-old nulligravid patient with anovulatory infertility was treated with in vitro fertilization. Six days after embryo transfer, the patient presented with complaint of abdominal bloating, nausea, vomiting and shortness of breath. Severe late-onset OHSS, with massive ascites and pleural effusion, was diagnosed. Posterior colpotomy was performed under general anesthesia, a Foley catheter was inserted into the posterior cul-de-sac, and bilateral chest drainage tubes were left for continuous drainage. In total, 13.2 liters of ascites and 6.1 liters of pleural fluid were drained in 8 days. Continuous drainage of ascites and pleural effusion improved the patient's comfort without need for repeated transvaginal and thoracic aspirations.