[Torsion of the omentum - an unexpected cause of acute surgical abdomen in a pregnant woman -case report].

OBJECTIVE: Torsion of the omentum is a rare cause of acute surgical abdomen. Here we describe a case of a pregnant woman with acute abdominal pain and a perioperative diagnosis of necrosis of torted omentum was made.

DESIGN: Case report.

SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Masaryks Hospital, Jilemnice.

CASE REPORT: Thirty year old female patient, who was 38 weeks pregnant, presented to our department with acute surgical abdomen. Acute appendicitis was suspected and an urgent caesarean section followed by appendectomy was scheduled. However, perioperatively a necrotic part of torted omentum was identified and resected.

CONCLUSION: Torsion of the omentum is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain which is usually diagnosed only perioperatively. This condition usually presents with nonspecific symptoms and most commonly mimics acute appendicitis. Owing to, inexplicit symptoms and wide range of differential diagnoses it is important to think of this entity as a possible cause of acute abdominal pain. Clear indication for abdominal surgery, especially in pregnant patients is essential and requires efficient team working between gynaecologists, abdominal surgeons and radiologists.