Background: Ovarian mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) are the most common tumors in pregnant women. The premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a typical complication of pregnancy; however, the relationship between MCT and PROM is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether MCT is associated with the occurrence of PROM during pregnancy.
Methods: The data of patients with adnexal masses during pregnancy between January 2017 and August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Ovarian cystectomy was performed during cesarean delivery or after vaginal delivery. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis.
Results: A total of 234 patients with histopathological results were included. Among these patients, 21 occurred PROM during pregnancy, of which 11 were diagnosed with MCT. Compared with other subtypes, MCT (p=0.025) showed a stronger correlation with PROM and was an independent risk factor for PROM (odds ratio [OR], 2.811; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.096– 7.215; p=0.032). Furthermore, we found that MCT with a diameter > 5 cm (p=0.0037) was more likely to promote the development of PROM than those that with a diameter < 5 cm.
Conclusion: MCT was an independent risk factor for PROM during pregnancy. Positive actions and preventative clinical treatments should be fully taken into consideration by clinicians for pregnant women with MCTs, especially those ≥ 5 cm in diameter, to reduce the clinical complications related to MCT-associated PROM.
Keywords: benign ovarian tumor, mature cystic teratoma, premature rupture of membranes, pregnancy