Risk Factors Associated with Adnexal Torsion after Hysterectomy

Study objective: To identify preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for adnexal torsion after hysterectomy, and to estimate the incidence of the disease in the modern-day era of laparoscopic surgery.

Design: Retrospective nested case-control study.

Setting: Large urban medical system.

Patients: Eighty-nine female patients ages 17 to 51.

Interventions: Patients underwent ovarian-sparing hysterectomy.

Measurements and main results: The estimated incidence of ovarian torsion after hysterectomy was 0.5% (46/8538 ovarian-sparing hysterectomies). The following variables were found to be associated with adnexal torsion after hysterectomy in an adjusted logistic regression: laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted approach to hysterectomy vs any other approach (odds ratio [OR], 3.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86-13.23); younger age at the time of hysterectomy (17-40 years) vs older age (41-51 years) (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.33-8.97); and a gynecologic history significant for endometriosis (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.04-15.88).

Conclusion: There is an association between laparoscopic approach to hysterectomy, younger age at time of hysterectomy, and a history of endometriosis with subsequent risk of adnexal torsion. Providers should have a heightened index of suspicion for adnexal torsion after hysterectomy in patients presenting with acute-onset abdominal pain who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy at a younger age.