Surgical emergencies of the uterine adnexae during pregnancy

During the 5-year period 1976-1980, seven cases of emergent surgical disease of the adnexae during pregnancy were encountered. The incidence of 1:1832 deliveries approximated that of appendicitis (1:1603 deliveries) during the same period. There were three cases of adnexal torsion, two ruptured ovarian cysts with hemorrhage, one heterotopic pregnancy, and one ruptured endometrioma. The right side was more commonly the site of the pathology, and abdominal pain the only consistent presenting symptom. Fever, tachycardia, and leukocytosis were inconsistent findings. Culdocentesis was positive in two cases. Four desired pregnancies were carried successfully to term postoperatively. Surgical emergencies of the adnexae will be encountered during pregnancy more commonly than is generally recognized. Aspects of obstetric management are described. If prompt surgical intervention is undertaken in pregnancy when the clinical picture suggests an acute abdomen, a satisfactory outcome can be expected.