Authors

Knut Gjelland, M.D., Seth Granberg, M.D., Ph.D., Torvid Kiserud, M.D., Ph.D., Tore Wentzel-Larsen, M.Sc., Erling Ekerhovd, M.D., Ph.D.

Volume 98, Issue 1 , Pages 136-140, July 2012

Abstract

Objective:

To study fertility among women treated by means of ultrasound-guided drainage and antibiotics for tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA).

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

A tertiary referral center.

Patient(s):

One hundred women of reproductive age treated for TOA between June 1986 and July 2003.

Intervention(s):

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided drainage of TOA was performed in all patients. The procedure was repeated if a substantial amount of pus was seen using ultrasonography 2–5 days after the initial aspiration, and repeated later if necessary.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Frequency of naturally conceived pregnancies.

Result(s):

Twenty of 38 (52.6%; 95% CI 36.5–68.9%) women who intended to have a child achieved pregnancy naturally and became mothers. In addition, 7 (50%) of 14 women who were not on birth control on a regular basis became pregnant. No ectopic pregnancies were registered.

Conclusion(s):

Ultrasound-guided drainage of TOA in combination with antibiotics seems to preserve fertility in approximately half of the patients.

Read the full text at: http://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(12)00392-5/fulltext