Adnexal Torsion in Pregnancy after Assisted Reproduction - Case Study and Review of the Literature

Purpose: Aim of the study was to investigate the incidence, progress, management and outcome of adnexal torsion after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in embryo transfer cycles. Materials and Method: A retrospective analysis was done of 1007 patients of a private IVF centre. The literature on adnexal torsion is reviewed. Results: In the literature, the incidence of adnexal torsion after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is given as around 0.2 %. A significant increase of up to 33 % has been reported for cases with additional ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and in pregnant women. In our retrospective analysis of 1007 women (incidence 0.46 %) with 1411 fresh embryo transfer cycles, we found an incidence of 0.35 % per embryo transfer. All adnexal torsions were treated by laparoscopic derotation to preserve fertility. All 5 cases with torsion were pregnant, 2 patients had mild OHSS. We recorded 3 term deliveries, 1 induced abortion for sirenomelia, and 1 missed abortion. Conclusion: Adnexal torsion must be kept in mind after hyperstimulation and embryo transfer, especially when pregnancy or OHSS is also present. With early diagnosis, it should be possible to preserve fertility using laparoscopic derotation.