The Women’s has changed how it diagnoses and treats ovarian torsion. This has cut delays and improved patient outcomes. Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency that occurs when the ovary twists on its supporting tissues and cuts off its blood supply.
Ovarian torsion is often difficult to detect. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting can occur in many conditions. Even ultrasound, the best diagnostic tool, only detects torsion 70% of the time, even with experts.
A few years ago, clinicians at the Women’s identified delays in torsion diagnosis as an area for improvement. This led to immediate changes, according to Dr Stephen Lee, the Clinical Lead for the Women’s Acute Gynaecology Unit.
“We brought together our ultrasound and gynaecology teams, shared data, and developed a protocol to fast-track cases,” Dr Lee said.
“This included ensuring women get urgent ultrasounds and a gynaecology review straight away, no matter the time of day.”
The protocol has led to fewer delays and more timely care. It is now embedded in hospital practice and supported by consultants from both departments.
Ovarian torsion can affect women and girls of any age. If not treated quickly, it can lead to the loss of an ovary, with potential impacts on fertility and long-term health. Ovarian torsion is often compared to testicular torsion. However, it has its own unique challenges. Testicular torsion usually leads to quicker intervention.
One key difference is anatomical. Unlike the testis, which has a single blood supply, the ovary has a dual arterial supply. This means it’s less likely to suffer immediate tissue damage from a loss of circulation. But … it can also make torsion harder to recognise early and may contribute to clinical uncertainty about the urgency of surgery.
Dr Lee noted that while outcomes have improved at the Women’s, access to similar care is not uniform across Victoria.
“Many emergency departments don’t have 24/7 gynaecological ultrasound or immediate specialist input,” he said. “That likely contributes to more delays elsewhere, but we need better data to fully understand the picture.”
Each year, hundreds of women in Victoria experience ovarian torsion. Dr Lee says the Women’s model shows what can be achieved with coordinated systems and strong clinical leadership.
“With the right processes in place, we can give patients the timely, high-quality care they deserve.”