Adnexal Masses in Pregnancy
Apichart Chittacharoen MD*, Apiwat Wangpusayavisut MD*, Pratak O-Prasertsawat MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University
Objective : To determine incidence and maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant women undergoing surgical
management for adnexal mass.
Materials and Methods : A cohort study was performed in patients who presented with adnexal masses in
pregnancy that required surgical management during April, 1986 to March, 2001. The maternal and fetal
outcomes were analyzed.
Results : One hundred eighteen patients of 116,323 deliveries were identified with adnexal masses that
required surgical management. The incidence was 1 in 986 deliveries. One hundred and three cases had
complete data for analysis. A malignant tumor or a tumor of low malignant potential was found in 3 cases
(2.9%). In 4 patients, the only finding at the time of operation were leiomyomas. Eighty-four of 103 cases
(81.6%) had an elective operation and 19 cases (18.4%) had an emergency operation. There were 3 sponta-
neous abortions, 3 preterm deliveries, and 1 intrauterine growth restriction in all patients. Patients who
underwent elective and emergency operation had the same adverse pregnancy outcome.
Conclusion : The incidence of an adnexal mass during pregnancy in our population was consistent with what
has been reported in the literature. The percentage of malignant tumors or tumors of low malignant potential
was 2.9%. Patients who underwent elective operation had the same adverse pregnancy outcome compared
with those who underwent emergency operation.
Keywords : Adnexal mass, Pregnancy, Maternal outcome, Fetal outcome
