title: Surgical considerations in early pregnancy: ectopic pregnancy and ovarian torsion.
abstract: Ectopic pregnancy and ovarian torsion are 2 of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain in early pregnancy. The following article will discuss the physiology and pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, clinical management options, and nursing considerations for ovarian torsion and ectopic pregnancy. Both conditions require timely diagnosis to prevent mortality and minimize morbidity, and both may require surgical management.
authors.affiliation: Division of Midwifery and Community Health, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA 01199, USA. elizabeth.stevens@bhs.org
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gilbert-Cohen
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000208:Acute Disease; D015984:Causality; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009721:Nurse Midwives; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D035583:Rare Diseases; D014102:Torsion Abnormality