Clinical experience in pregnancies complicated by adnexal torsion

The purpose of this study was to present data on clinical and operational management and postoperative outcomes of pregnancies complicated by adnexal torsion (AT).

Twenty-four pregnant women who presented to the present clinic between January 2007 to December 2013 and were intraoperatively diagnosed with AT were included in this study. Demographic data such as age and data on obstetric history, gestational week, current trimester, previous gynecologic and non-gynecologic operations, type of surgery that was performed, average size, location and number of adnexal masses, surgical techniques that were employed, postoperative complications, and pathology results were investigated and noted.

In this study, 132 patients were operated due to AT, and the rate of pregnant women with AT was 18.2% (24/132). The mean age of the patients was 29.25 ± 6.27 years, and the mean gestational week was 18.25 ± 7. Eight patients were in their first trimester (33.3%) whereas 13 were in their second trimester (54.2%), and three were in their third trimester (12.5%) when they presented to the hospital. The mean AT size was 95.3 ± 53.9 mm, as measured by ultrasonography. All the patients were operated by laparotomy. Regarding the types of abdominal incision, 13 patients (54.2%) had a Pfannenstiel incision, three patients (12.5%) had an infra-umbilical median incision, and eight patients (33.3%) had a pararectal incision. Duration of operation was significantly shorter in patients with pararectal incisions (p < 0.01) compared to those with Pfannenstiel and infra-umbilical median incisions. Regarding the types of treatment, ten patients (41.7%) underwent unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO), eight patients (33.3%) underwent adnexal detorsion+cystectomy, and six patients (25%) underwent adnexal detorsion only.

AT is a gynecologic emergency that requires early diagnosis and treatment, as it is capable of complicating the pregnancy. Determination of the current gestational week prior to the surgical intervention will assist and guide the surgeon in identifying the suitable type of surgery for a particular patient. Pararectal incision should be the incision of choice for a shorter duration of operation, which is crucial in pregnant women for reduced exposure to anesthesia.