Overview of Gynaecological Emergencies

Abstract

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/59107 . IntroductionGynaecological emergencies are disease conditions of the female reproductive system that threaten the life of the woman, her sexual function and the perpetuation of her fertility.Common gynaecological emergencies present as acute abdomen, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or a combination of both, and are often related to early pregnancy complications, pelvic inflammatory disease PID and contraceptive issues.Some hospitals, mostly in the developed world, have specialist Emergency Gynaecology Units that provide fast intervention for acute gynaecological problems, such as pelvic pain, severe menorrhagia, vulvar problems, acute PID, hyperemesis gravidarum and post gynaecology surgical problems. These units are often manned by specialist nurses, sonologists and an oncall gynaecology medical team headed by a consultant gynaecologist. The aim of such a unit is to deliver adequate healthcare quickly, thus reducing the possible complications, and in so doing reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with such cases."dvances in sonography, biochemical pregnancy testing, minimal access surgery and new antibiotics have led to early diagnosis of these conditions and adoption of more conservative approaches to treatment.The basic objective of this chapter is to have an overview of these emergency gynaecological conditions on an individual basis, and their management. The management of these cases often requires history taking, clinical examination, investigations, both general and specific, and instituting the required treatment plan. Time is of the essence in these cases and so often there is an overlap in the management steps, with some requiring immediate resuscitation.

Spectrum of ultrasonographic findings in gynaecological emergencies in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

“…1 Gynaecological emergencies represent disease conditions affecting the reproductive organs of females and which may have adverse effects on the reproductive capacity, affect the sexual function and even her very existence. 2 A common clinical presentation of gynaecological emergencies to emergency departments in most parts of the world is acute abdominal pain. 2,3 Clinicians all over the world are faced with a major challenge of the wide range of possible differential diagnosis that must be considered when a patient presents with a gynaecological emergency for assessment.…”

“…2 A common clinical presentation of gynaecological emergencies to emergency departments in most parts of the world is acute abdominal pain. 2,3 Clinicians all over the world are faced with a major challenge of the wide range of possible differential diagnosis that must be considered when a patient presents with a gynaecological emergency for assessment. 3 In addition to the clinical findings, various imaging modalities are available and play an important role in the evaluation of these patients.…”

“…those that are related to pregnancy and those that are not. [1][2][3] Those that are pregnancy related are those that arise as a result of complications of first trimester gestations and usually before the age of viability, and these include, extra-uterine (ectopic) gestations, abortions (threatened, inevitable, incomplete, complete, missed, septic, spontaneous, habitual and induced), and complications of unsafe abortions. 3 The non-pregnancy related gynaecological emergencies include various forms of ovarian accidents, acute pelvic inflammatory diseases, menstrual disorders including dysfunctional uterine bleeding, bleeding gynaecological malignancies, coital laceration and sexual assault.…”

“…3 The non-pregnancy related gynaecological emergencies include various forms of ovarian accidents, acute pelvic inflammatory diseases, menstrual disorders including dysfunctional uterine bleeding, bleeding gynaecological malignancies, coital laceration and sexual assault. 1,2 Abortion is the commonest emergency in the gynaecological emergency departments, with ectopic pregnancy ranking next in developing countries, while in the U.S.A acute pelvic inflammatory disease is the most common gynaecological emergency after abortion. 1,3 The common gynaecological emergencies typically present with abdominal pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding or as a combination of both.…”

Uncommon Surgical Emergencies in the Adult Gynecologic Patient: Two Cases of Missed Diagnosis of Outflow Tract Obstruction from Congenital Uterine Anomalies

“…Gynecologic emergencies are conditions that threaten a woman's life, sexual function, or fertility [ 1 ]. Gynecological emergencies are relatively common and can be categorized as acute pain (e.g., ectopic pregnancy, adnexal torsion, hemorrhagic ovarian cyst, and outflow tract obstruction), gynecologic hemorrhage (e.g.…”