Ruptured Ovarian Cyst Complications
Nothing else can be more painful for a woman than a ruptured ovarian cyst. Apart from pain other serious complications are associated with it. The ovaries may get twisted due to the size and location of the cyst. This can even lead to infertility. Sepsis may occur due to the leakage of cystic fluid into the abdominal cavity. There can be hemorrhagic complications also. A patient suffering from a ruptured ovarian cyst may suffer severe pelvic pain in the long run.
Twisting of the ovary may be caused by ovarian cysts larger than 4cms. Twisting, which is also known as torsion will occur if the cyst is accompanied by a tumor. Here the problem is that it may limit blood supply to the ovary, thereby causing the death of the ovarian tissue. This is known as ovarian necrosis and it can affect your fertility. Not only that the associated inflammation may lead to infection, septic shock and death. Also in some cases ovarian torsion leads to injury to the urinary tract as well as clotting in the ovarian blood vessels. Even pulmonary emboli, which is blood clots in the lungs is secondary to blood clots in the ovarian vessels. A twisted ovary can be corrected only surgically, mostly using an open-abdomen rather than laparoscopic approach.
Hemorrhage can often complicate ovarian cysts. It has to be noted that abdominal hemorrhage is different to hemorrhage from a ruptured endometriomas. The blood that leaks into the cavity of the abdomen is from the cyst itself in the case of endomeriomas rupture. Blood leaks from an organ in the abdomen in the case of abdominal hemorrhage. Here the volume of leaked blood is greater and as a result it is more dangerous. The source of bleed has to be identified and stopped.
In many cases we can see that the right ovary seems to be involved in hemorrhagic complications than the left. This can be due to the fact that the left ovary is partly cushioned by the large bowel, protecting it from trauma and twisting. On the other hand, the part of the bowel behind the right hand side of the ovary gives less support, thereby exposing it to twisting. If the ovarian cyst is complicated by hemorrhage, the problem can be sorted out by surgery, either by stopping the bleeding or removing the hemorrhaged material.
Peritonitis is another complication of a ruptured ovarian cyst. It is a serious condition where there will be inflammation of the mucous membrane which lines the abdominal cavity and organs contained within them. Mainly it is caused by an infection, which in the case of a ruptured ovarian cyst may be the result of leaked cystic fluid. It should be remembered that the peritonitis is localized to the immediate area of ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Scarring which occurs due to rupture of an ovarian cyst is known as adhesions. If the scarring is on the ovaries it can be quite dangerous. The reason is that it may affect fertility by limiting the ovaries’ ability to release eggs.
However these complications associated with a ruptured ovarian cyst occur less frequently, though they are serious and in some cases life threatening. Seeking medical attention at the proper time can reduce the chances of complications. It is advisable to see the doctor as soon as you notice the symptoms.