Laparoscopic Ovarian Torsion Surgery

What is Laparoscopic Ovarian Torsion Surgery

Laparoscopic ovarian torsion surgery is a procedure to untwist an ovary and restore blood flow. The ovaries are two small reproductive organs that produce eggs in women.

Ovarian torsion is when an ovary becomes twisted and cuts off its own blood supply. This causes the ovary to swell, which can be painful. Ovarian torsion is an emergency.

This procedure is done by inserting small hollow tubes in your abdomen using a thin, lit camera (laparoscope). This camera lets your health care provider look at your ovary. Sometimes, this procedure cannot be done laparoscopically and needs to be changed to an open procedure, which involves a larger surgical cut (incision).

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Infection.
  • Bleeding.
  • Allergic reactions to medicines.
  • Damage to other structures or organs.
  • Additional surgery if the procedure is not successful.
  • The need to change to an open procedure.
  • Loss of the affected ovary.
  • The inability to get pregnant or have children in the future.

What happens before the procedure?

  • Ask your health care provider about:
    • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
    • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
  • Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
  • If you go home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

  • An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
  • You will be given a medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic). You may also be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A flexible tube (urinary catheter) may be placed in your bladder to drain urine.
  • Several small incisions will be made in your abdomen.
  • A laparoscope will be passed through a tube in one of the incisions.
  • Other surgical instruments will be passed through tubes in the other incisions.
  • Your ovary will be untwisted.
  • Your ovary will be observed to see if blood flow returns. If blood flow does not return, the ovary may have to be removed.
  • The incisions may be closed with stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive tape.
  • The incisions will be covered with bandages (dressings).

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

  • Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
  • You may be given medicine for pain or nausea and vomiting.
  • If you had a urinary catheter, it may be removed.
  • You may eat small, light meals after your procedure as long as you do not have nausea or vomiting.
  • You will be taught breathing exercises to help prevent lung infection.
  • You will be encouraged to walk as soon as possible.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.

Laparoscopic Ovarian Torsion Surgery, Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After your procedure, it is common to have:

  • A small amount of blood or clear fluid coming from the cuts made during surgery (incisions).
  • Mild cramping in your lower abdomen.

Follow these instructions at home:

Incision care

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incisions. Make sure you:
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
    • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
    • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to be in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
  • Check your incision areas every day for signs of infection. Check for:
    • More redness, swelling, or pain.
    • More fluid or blood.
    • Warmth.
    • Pus or a bad smell.
  • Keep your incision areas clean and dry. Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.

General instructions

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you. Ask about:
    • Returning to work and exercise.
    • If you have any weight restrictions.
    • When it is okay to resume sexual activity.
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have unusual bleeding or discharge from your vagina.
  • You have pain in your abdomen that gets worse or does not get better with medicine.
  • You feel nauseous.
  • You have more redness, swelling, or pain at the site of your incisions.
  • You have more fluid or blood coming from your incisions.
  • Your incisions feel warm to the touch.
  • Your have pus or a bad smell coming from your incisions.

Get help right away if:

  • You have a fever.
  • You have a lot of unusual bleeding or discharge from your vagina.
  • You have severe pain in your abdomen.
  • You cannot stop vomiting.
  • You have nausea that does not get better.
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