When is it too late? Ovarian preservation and duration of symptoms in ovarian torsion

Abstract

This 10-year retrospective study between 2008 and 2018, aims to investigate the duration of symptoms of ovarian torsion and the subsequent rate of ovarian preservation. Eighty-six women with surgically confirmed ovarian torsion were included. The median duration from the onset of pain symptoms to presentation (26.0 vs 6.0 h, p < .001) and from presentation to surgery (11.0 vs 5.5 h, p = .010) were significantly longer in women who required an oophorectomy compared to women who had conservative surgery. There was no significant difference in symptoms, signs or investigations except ultrasound finding of an enlarged ovary (94.9% vs 76.9%, p = .026). Awareness of the condition among the community and healthcare is crucial and routine investigations should not delay management as positive Doppler flow on ultrasound does not exclude an ovarian torsion.