Skip to main content
Log in

Tubo-ovarian abscess in the postmenopausal woman

  • Brief Clinical Note
  • Published:
World Journal of Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Tubo-ovarian abscesses are considered a problem only during the childbearing years because of their rarity in the postmenopausal age group. Three case reports are described, in which pelvic abscesses were diagnosed in elderly women and necessitated surgical intervention. The early recognition and surgical treatment of pelvic abscesses is mandatory in the postmenopausal woman, who often is a poor-risk patient. Nothing is to be gained by delay of definitive treatment, and the risk of serious deterioration is obvious. Therefore, the gynecologist and surgeon should be alert to this uncommon diagnosis in the elderly woman and be prepared for early surgical intervention.

Résumé

Les abcès tubo-ovariens très fréquents chez l'adolescente sont très rares chez la femme après la ménopause. Trois cas d'abcès tubo-ovariens chez la femme âgée qui ont nécessité une intervention chirurgicale sont relatés.

Le diagnostic et le traitement précoce de l'abcès pelvien chez la femme âgée est indispensable car elle représente un sujet à haut risque. Rien de bénéfique ne peut être obtenu en retardant le traitement chirurgical et les risques alors ne font que s'accroitre. Le gynécologue et le chirurgien doivent être prévenus de ce diagnostic rare chez la femme âgée et être prêts à intervenir.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Heaton, F.C., Ledger, W.J.: Postmenopausal tuboovarian abscess. Obstet. Gynecol.47:90, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  2. Mattingly, R.F.: Pelvic inflammatory disease and its sequelae. In Te Linde's Operative Gynecology, 5th Edition, Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  3. Pedowitz, P., Felmus, S.B.: Ruptured adnexal abscess with generalized peritonitis. Am. J. Surg.85:507, 1952

    Google Scholar 

  4. Verneeren, J., Te Linde, R.W.: Intra-abdominal rupture of pelvic abscesses. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.68:402, 1954

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lardaro, H.H.: Spontaneous rupture of tubo-ovarian abscess into the free peritoneal cavity. J.A.M.A.156:699, 1954

    Google Scholar 

  6. Walker, V.N., Baker, W.S.: Surgical management of acute pelvic infection refractory to conservative therapy. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.82:497, 1961

    Google Scholar 

  7. Collins, C.C., Nix, F.G., Cerha, H.I.: Ruptured tubo-ovarian abscess. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.72:820, 1956

    Google Scholar 

  8. Wilson, J.R., Black, J.R.: Ovarian abscess. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.90:34, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  9. Pedowitz, P., Bloomfield, R.D.: Ruptured adnexal abscess (tubo-ovarian) with generalized peritonitis. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.88:721, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  10. Nebel, W.A., Lucas, W.E.: Management of tuboovarian abscess. Obstet. Gynecol.32:382, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  11. Mickale, A., Sellmann, A.H., Beebe, J.L.: Ruptured tubo-ovarian abscess. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.100:432, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  12. Ledger, W.J., Campbell, C., Taylor, D.,et al.: Adnexal abscess as a late complication of pelvic operations. Surg. Gynecol. Obstet.129:973, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  13. Franklin, W., Hevron, J.E., Thompson, J.D.: Management of the pelvic abscess. Clin. Obstet. Gynecol.16:66, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  14. Mann, L.I., Ronney, S.L.: Postmenopausal ruptured adnexal abscess. Obstet. Gynecol.28:707, 1966

    Google Scholar 

  15. Kaplan, A.L., Jacobs, W.M., Ehresman, J.B.: Aggressive management of pelvic abscess. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.98:482, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  16. Schwartz, S.I., Shires, G.T., Spencer, F.C., Storer, E.H.: In Principles of Surgery, 3rd edition, New York, McGraw-Hill, 1979, pp. 1190–1255

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Blumenfeld, Z., Toledano, C., Eitan, A. et al. Tubo-ovarian abscess in the postmenopausal woman. World J. Surg. 6, 634–636 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01657884

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01657884

Keywords

Navigation