PRESERVATION OF OVARIAN TISSUE IN ADNEXAL TORSION WITH FLUORESCEIN

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the ability of fluorescein to int raoperatively detect viable fallopian and ovarian tissues involved in adnexal torsion.STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study was performed at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Women's Hospita l. Participants were female patients 18 to 45 years old with adnexal t orsion confirmed at exploratory celiotomy. Five milliliters of 10% flu orescein were injected intravenously, and the involved untwisted adnex a was observed under ultraviolet light. Nonfluorescent tissue was rese cted and histologically evaluated. RESULTS: Eleven patients were enter ed into the study. Mean age was 25 years (range 15 to 42). Eight patie nts (72%) had preservation of involved ovarian tissue. No complication s were associated with this procedure. Only three patients (28%) under went oophorectomy. CONCLUSION: The use of intravenous fluorescein appe ars to be a valuable adjunct in the management of adnexal torsion. App lication of this technique in reproductive-aged patients resulted in a three-quarter reduction in oophorectomy procedures.