Predictors of Ovarian Preservation After Ovarian Torsion: A Retrospective Chart Review

Study Objective: We sought to assess the factors that are associated with ovarian preservation in the setting of surgically confirmed ovarian torsion, specifically focusing on the time to surgery after the emergency department (ED) presentation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a single tertiary care academic hospital from 2008 to 2021. Patients aged 12–40 with ovarian torsion were identified using diagnosis codes. We compared the outcome of ovarian preservation versus removal based on time to surgery after ED presentation, age, parity, Doppler flow, presence of ovarian mass, detorsion attempt, intraoperative suspicion of necrosis, and time of day. Results: We identified 60 surgical cases of ovarian torsion, with 25 undergoing oophorectomy (58.3% preserved). The median time from ED presentation to surgery was 8.6 hours, and only six surgeries occurred in <4 hours, which was not associated with ovarian preservation. Preservation was associated with Doppler flow (60% vs. 27%, p = 0.019) and was less likely when necrosis was suspected (20% vs. 84%, p < 0.001) and age ≥25 years (34% vs. 68%, p = 0.010). Detorsion attempts resulted in the preservation of 25% of ovaries with suspected necrosis. Parity and presentation time of day were not associated with preservation. Discussion: Time to surgery was not associated with ovarian preservation, possibly because few cases occurred in <4 hours. Setting goal times might improve outcomes. Ovaries are more likely to be preserved when detorsion is attempted despite necrotic appearance and when Doppler flow is present on sonographic exam. The surgical decision for oophorectomy may be based on factors unrelated to functional loss of the ovary.