Ovarian Tumours in Pregnancy

Abstract

A series of 164 patients with ovarian tumours operated upon in pregnancy or during the puer‐perium is presented. The incidence was 1 in 938 pregnancies. The incidence of malignancy was 2.4%. The commonest tumours were the benign cystic teratoma (45 cases) and the mucinous cyst‐adenoma (40 cases). Pain was the presenting symptom In 48% of patients, and in 25% the diagnosis was made by routine examination early in pregnancy. Torsion occurred more frequently in the pregnancy series (29%) than in the nonpregnant group (7%). Obstructed labour occurred in six patients. The incidence of abortion after surgery in the first trimester was 35%, and where possible, surgery should be postponed until the second trimester when the risk of abortion is only 2%. Surgery in the third trimester may be difficult and was associated with an increased foetal mortality rate. Conservative ovarian cystectomy was possible in 62% of patients.