Article Type : Case Report
Authors : Ponnusamy G
Keywords : Ovarian; Obstetric emergency; Pregnancy; Gynaecology
Ovarian torsion in pregnancy is an obstetric
emergency. Prompt diagnosis and management is essential to reduce maternal and
fetal morbidity. I am discussing the case report of ovarian torsion presented
in the early pregnancy and how it was managed laparoscopically.
The estimated incidence of ovarian torsion in
pregnancy is 1-5 in 10000 pregnancies and may be as high as 16% in
pregnant women with OHSS [1]. It can occur at any time in pregnancy, but is
more common in the first and early second trimesters. It can occur without an
adnexal mass (torsion of a normal-sized ovary) in pregnancy. Here I am
going to discuss about a case presented with acute abdominal pain early
pregnancy, work up revealed torsion of normal sized ovary.
A
26 yrs old g2p1, came to urgent care with acute right sided pain abdomen, she
was 5 weeks 6 days pregnant, it was intrauterine pregnancy, no history of
bleeding per vaginum, no history of fever, vomiting or loose stools. Clinical
examination revealed moderately built lady, not pale, afebrile, abdomen
examination revealed severe tenderness right iliac region which is not relieved
with simple analgesics like paracetomol, local examination revealed no bleeding
or abnormal vaginal discharge. Blood
counts were sent and urgent ultrasound ordered, Haemoglobin was 11.6, White
blood cell count was normal 8.2, C-reactive protein was normal, ultrasound
revealed intrauterine sac 5 weeks 6 days fetus, right ovary bulky 5.3*3.2 cms
with fluid around the right ovary, with consent of the couple further
confirmation done with MRI showing bulky ovary with hyperintense parenchymal
edema and periovarian free fluid suspicious twisting of right ovarian pedicle
suggestive of ovarian torsion. Patient
and husband counselled about the need for intervention and small risk of
miscarriage which can happen because of the current associated condition, they
understood and agreed the plan of care. With
informed consent under General anaesthesia patient posted for laparoscopy and
proceed. Pnuemoperitonuem created with supraumbilical verres insertion,
intraabdominal pressure created upto 12 mm hg, intraoperative right ovary along
with the tube twisted twice and both are edematous and congested and detorsion
done, congestion reduced and ovarian ligament plication done with 2-0 prolene
sutures since the ovarian ligament was lax and lengthy, post-operative period
was uneventful. Prophylactic antibiotics and prophylaxis against deep vein
thrombhosis given. Now she is 16
weeks pregnant, Ultrasound antenatal done at 12 weeks, Down syndrome
screening(NT) scan normal, ovaries also normal, patient is asymptamatic and she
is coming for regular antenatal check-up and she is now managed as any low risk
pregnant woman.
The clinical presentation of adnexal torsion is similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women [2,3]. Acute abdominal pain is the most common symptom; there are similar rates of nausea, vomiting, abdominal tenderness and signs of peritoneal irritation in both groups. Nausea and vomiting may be present in up to 85% of cases of ovarian torsion. However, pregnant women are more likely to present earlier following the onset of acute pain (Figures 1-3). They are twice as likely to have recurrent ovarian torsion compared to non-pregnant women [4]. White blood cell count in pregnant women is often mildly elevated, so this has little discriminatory power in diagnosis. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a nonspecific marker that is raised in most tissue injuries, including infarction, haemorrhage and infection. The CRP value starts to rise 6-8 hours after the onset of torsion and peaks at 24-72 hours. It has a very limited role in the early disease process, therefore clinical assessment and a high index of suspicion is important. Ultrasound can aid diagnosis by identifying a tender mass that has a thickened and oedematous capsule with a bland and often avascular centre.
Figure 1: Preoperative images of ovarian torsion ovarian showing edema ovary with less vascularity-ultrasound and mri image.
Once a diagnosis is made then surgery should immediately follow; ideally, laparoscopy with adnexal detorsion, aspiration of an ovarian cyst, ovarian cystectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy. Prompt surgery allows adnexal detorsion to revascularise and preserve the ovary. Other surgical aims include reducing the size of the ovary to lower the risk of torsion recurrence. In many cases the ovary may be ischaemic, friable and oedematous, so the simple puncture and drainage of the ovarian cyst may suffice to treat acute pain with minimum risk to the pregnancy. In cases of obvious necrosis with no revascularisation after detorsion, unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy may be required.
Figure 2: The operative images showing ovarian torsion,
detorsion and ovarian plication.
Once
a diagnosis is made then surgery should immediately follow; ideally,
laparoscopy with adnexal detorsion, aspiration of an ovarian cyst, ovarian
cystectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy. Prompt surgery allows adnexal detorsion to
revascularise and
Figure 3: Post op images showing normal ovary with good
vascularity.
Diagnostic
laparoscopy is safe and effective when used selectively in the workup and
treatment of acute abdominal process in pregnancy. Laparoscopic treatment of
acute abdominal process has the same indication in pregnant and non-pregnant
patients. Laparoscopy can be safely performed during any time in pregnancy. CO2
insufflation pressure can be safely used upto 10- 15 for adequate visualization
of abdominal cavity. Intra operative CO2 monitoring by Capnography should be
used while operating in a pregnant patient. Intraoperative and post-operative
thrombho prophylaxis including pneumatic compression devices, low molecular
weight heparin, early ambulation is indicated in these patients. Laparoscopy is
recommended for diagnosis and treatment for the pregnant patient is suspected
the possibility of adenxal torsion unless the clinical condition warrants
laparotomy [5]. The maternal condition necessitating surgery may be associated
with risk of miscarriage and preterm labour not due to procedure or anaesthesia
per se [6]. Most studies have been reassuring and have concluded that a
significant risk for congenital malformations is unlikely when surgery is
performed during the first trimester [7,8]. For example, Mazze and Kallen
described 5405 women from the Swedish Birth Registry who underwent non
obstetric surgery during pregnancy, 40% of which occurred during the first
trimester. They found no significant difference in the rate of congenital
malformations compared with women who had no exposure to surgery during
pregnancy. Furthermore, a more recent systematic review of the literature
identified more than 12,000 pregnancies exposed to no obstetric surgery and
reported an overall 2% incidence of congenital malformations, 3.9% when surgery
occurred in the first trimester [9]. Maternal risk [6]: General laparoscopic
surgical risks such as haemorrhage and herniation at the port site also apply
to laparoscopy during pregnancy. Clinicians should be aware that there is
increased risk of bleeding due to increased vascularity of uterus and adnexae,
but this risk is currently not quantified.
Torsion
of normal ovary in pregnancy is a rare occurrence, it should be diagnosed and
managed properly to reduce the maternal and fetal morbidity. Good maternal and
fetal outcomes have also been reported for laparoscopic surgery for the first
and third trimester, however the number of reported cases is small. More
research is needed to prove the superiority of one approach over the other
outside the second trimester for the elective cases. In the interim, choice of
approach should be decided based on local circumstances like this emergency
cases and expertise.