J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc

Conservative therapy of adnexal torsion employing color Doppler sonography.

Chang KH. Hwang KJ. Kwon HC. Yoo JH. Ryu HS. Lee EJ. Oh KS.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine, 5 Wonchon dong, Paldal-ku, Suwon, Korea 112-749.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To ascertain if color Doppler sonography (CDS) can detect viability of adnexa in torsion. DESIGN: Concurrent, nonrandomized study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Tertiary medical care center in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-seven women suspected of having torsion of the ovary in which a benign tumor was present. INTERVENTIONS: Color Doppler sonography of the ovarian pedicle suggested torsion. Laparoscopy or laparotomy was performed in 19 patients and confirmed the diagnosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified a twisted vascular pedicle of the ovarian tumor by CDS in 24 (88%) of 27 women. Pedicle arterial and venous blood flow was observed in 10 women; pathology specimens revealed normal tissue, edema with congestion, or early hemorrhage. In all nine in whom only arterial blood flow or no blood flow was observed, pathology revealed hemorrhagic necrosis. In five women with arterial and venous blood flow the tumor was managed conservatively, either by detorsion or cystectomy, after which no embolism or tumor recurrence was seen at follow-up ultrasonography. Normal follicular development and ovulation occurred in these patients. CONCLUSION: For women of childbearing age in whom torsion of benign adnexal tumors is suspected, CDS should be performed to confirm the diagnosis and ascertain whether or not pedicle arterial and venous blood flow is present. If such blood flow is detected, the adnexa is considered to be viable and detorsion or cystectomy may be performed, thus preserving the ovary. It is recommended that further studies with a larger group be undertaken to provide a basis for statistical analysis.

The effects of duration of CO2 insufflation and irrigation on peritoneal microcirculation assessed by free radical scavengers and total glutathion levels during operative laparoscopy.

Year 1998
Taskin O. Buhur A. Birincioglu M. Burak F. Atmaca R. Yilmaz I. Wheeler JM.
Hayriye mah, Kurtulus sok. no. 21/1, Eskisehir, Turkey; fax 011 90 312 419 4459.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of peritoneal exposure to carbon dioxide (CO2) on peritoneal microcirculation and free radical scavenger (FRS) metabolism, and its role in potential adhesion formation after operative laparoscopy. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled study (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight women undergoing operative laparoscopy for adnexal masses. INTERVENTION: For each patient, a 1 x 1-cm sidewall peritoneal flap was excised at the end of laparoscopy and numbered randomly. Similar flaps obtained from 24 women immediately after entering the abdomen during laparotomy served as controls. MEASUREMENTS and MAIN RESULTS: Changes in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels were studied in homogenized peritoneal tissues. The duration of CO2 exposure and amount of CO2 used were correlated with levels of free radical scavengers and compared with controls. Mean CO2 exposure, amount of CO2 used, and CO2 pressure (15 mm Hg) was similar between low irrigation and irrigated laparoscopy (118.3 +/- 25 and 39.2 +/- 8.81 min and 125 +/- 20 and 44.5 +/- 6.81 min, respectively). The change in FRS levels was significantly correlated with duration and amount of CO2 exposure (r = -0.92). Levels of GSH-Px, SOD, CAT, and GSH were significantly lower in the CO2 exposure group than in controls (0.57 micro mol, 1.8 ng, 48.5 micro mol, 1.5 nmol vs 0.8 micro mol, 2.6 +/- 0.4 ng, 79 micro mol, 3.6 nmol, respectively). CONCLUSION: Exposure to CO2 has adverse effects on peritoneal microcirculation and cell-protective systems, which are proposed mechanisms in adhesion formation. Avoiding long CO2 exposure and copiously irrigating the abdominal cavity throughout surgery may lessen these effects. The potential role of the peritoneal FRS system on postoperative adhesion formation and its relation to estrogen status mandates further studies.