A clinical study of torsion of ovarian tumors in pregnancy

Choi, Ye Hoon; Park, Chul Hun; Lee, Gui SeRa; Kim, Sa Jin; Sin, Jong Chul; Na, Jong Gu; Kim, Soo Pyung

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate optimal management of an ovarian tumor in pregnancy
METHODS
This study includes 89 cases of an ovarian tumor in pregnancy that required surgery at Catholic Medical Center, Kangnam St. Mary's hospital, Holy Family hospital of the Catholic University Medical College from January, 1990 to December, 2001. We collected 36 cases from 48 pregnant women who underwent emergency operation. And 53 cases were pregnant women who underwent elective operation. The student t-test and x2 test were used for statistical analysis. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant.
RESULTS
The most common size of torsion of an ovarian tumor during pregnancy was 6-10 cm and the incidence was the most frequent during the first trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women with torsion of an ovarian tumor who underwent emergency operation compared with those who underwent elective operation, the risk of preterm delivery were significant. But there were no fetal deaths reported, also there were no difference in the birth weight or the method of delivery.
CONCLUSION
The torsion of an ovarian tumor dose not have a serious affect on the overall pregnancy. If the early diagnosis of the ovarian tumor is made and the malignancy is ruled out, it seems likely that the conservative care is better than the invasive method of operation during the second trimester of pregnancy just to prevent from preterm labor due to emergency operation of ovarian tumor.