What are the risks of antibiotic therapy failure in women with tubo-ovarian abscesses?

A tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) presents a challenging clinical scenario, with treatment options ranging from medical therapy with antibiotics to surgical drainage. However, determining the appropriate course of action remains a complex decision, as the criteria for surgical intervention still need to be precisely defined. The present study identifies the risk factors associated with antibiotic therapy failure in women with TOA through a comprehensive literature review-

The study describes-

• It included 29 studies, with 2890 women. 
• The age, abscess size, history of intrauterine device use, postmenopausal status, history of diabetes mellitus, fever, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and history of pelvic inflammatory disease are the significant risk factors for antibiotic therapy failure in women with TOA.

The findings from this study underline the risk factors for antibiotic therapy failure in women with TOA, thereby guiding clinicians in making informed decisions regarding patient care.

Kinay T, Akay A, Aksoy M, Balkan FC, Ustun YE. Risk factors for antibiotic therapy failure in women with tubo-ovarian abscess: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. 2024; 50(3): 298-312. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.15870