Adnexal Torsion in Pregnancy Managed by Laparoscopy Is Associated with Favorable Obstetric Outcomes

Abstract

Study objective: Most cases of adnexal torsion in pregnancy are currently managed by laparoscopy, which may be associated with increased risks for spontaneous abortion and preterm delivery. We sought to evaluate the obstetric outcomes of these women, with emphasis on their live birth rate and gestational age at delivery.

Design: Retrospective cohort study and telephone questionnaire.

Setting: University-affiliated obstetrics and gynecology department.

Patients: All pregnant women who underwent laparoscopy for adnexal torsion between 2007 and 2017. Their obstetric outcomes were obtained by retrospective review of medical records and a telephone questionnaire.

Interventions: Laparoscopy for adnexal detorsion, with or without cyst drainage or cystectomy.

Measurements and main results: The study cohort included 94 women. Most torsion cases (71, 75.5%) were diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy, whereas 21 (22.3%) cases and 2 (2.1%) cases were diagnosed in the second and third trimesters, respectively. Conception was achieved by in vitro fertilization or by ovulation induction in 45 (47.9%) cases. The information on pregnancy outcomes was available for 93 women. Of those, live birth was reported for 86 (92.5%) pregnancies, while 6 (6.5%) women had a spontaneous abortion, and 1 woman experienced an intrauterine fetal death. Five cases of spontaneous abortion were diagnosed in the first trimester, all within 3 weeks of surgery. Preterm delivery before 37 gestational weeks was reported for 18 (19.4%) pregnancies and was significantly associated with twin pregnancy (p = .002) and with conception following in vitro fertilization and ovulation induction (p = .03). On logistic regression analysis, preterm delivery was only associated with twin vs singleton gestation (odds ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-34.8; p = .02).

Conclusion: The obstetric outcomes of pregnant women who underwent laparoscopy for adnexal torsion are generally favorable. However, there is a risk for preterm delivery, which is primarily associated with multiple gestations.

Keywords: Adnexal torsion; Laparoscopy; Pregnancy; Preterm delivery.