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Pelvic abscess complicating transvaginal oocyte retrieval: A case report from a public in vitro fertilization centre in Southern Nigeria


ME Aziken
AA Orhue
PA Osemwnkha
K Agholor

Abstract

Pelvic abscess complicating transvaginal oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization is uncommon. Difficulties and/or delays in diagnosis,  attributable to the rarity of the pathology, are associated with  complications that lead to severe maternal and perinatality morbidity and mortality. In this report, we present a 37 year old nulliparous woman who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer for infertility treatment. She presented with non-specific symptoms of pelvic pain nine weeks after transvaginal oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Despite antibiotic therapy, she developed acute abdomen that resulted in pregnancy loss and necessitated two laparotomies to save her life.
There is need for high index of suspicion and early diagnoses of this rare complication of transvaginal oocyte retrieval particularly now that uptake of assisted reproduction technique in the treatment of infertility is likely
to increase in sub-Saharan Africa with the advent of public hospital involvement.

Keywords: Pelvic abscess, transvaginal oocyte retrieval, in vitro fertilization.


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eISSN: 0189-5117