According to information from the Vietnamese peacekeeping force at the UNMISS Mission (Republic of South Sudan), on November 26, a 35-year-old female patient, of Ghanaian nationality, experienced severe pain in the lower abdomen after a high-intensity military physical training session with long-distance running.
Field Hospital doctor performs ultrasound on female Ghanaian soldier. Photo: Field Hospital
The patient had a history of giving birth to two children, one of which was by cesarean section and had her right ovary removed. At Ghana Level 1 Hospital, doctors suspected that the patient had ovarian cyst torsion and transferred her to Vietnam Level 2 Field Hospital No. 6 for emergency treatment.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient's blood pressure dropped. Immediately, the hospital's Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abdominal Surgery, and Gastroenterology specialists held an emergency consultation and sought advice from Obstetrics and Gynecology specialists at Military Hospital 103, Military Medical Academy.
Through clinical examination and testing, the patient was diagnosed with intra-abdominal bleeding syndrome due to rupture of a functional cyst of the left ovary. Ultrasound showed an abnormal mass in the ovary measuring 46×42 mm, with bleeding in the ovarian cyst and fluid in the cul-de-sac. Blood tests showed anemia with Hb only 108g/L.
The on-call team quickly implemented active emergency measures, including intravenous fluids, hemostatic drugs, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. The patient was then transferred to the Department of Surgery - Specialty for continued treatment and special care. During the monitoring process, there was a time when the hemoglobin dropped to only 97g/L.
To avoid the risk of invasive surgery, the patient was completely immobilized, fed intravenously, and treated medically according to the protocol. After 7 days of treatment, the patient's condition improved significantly: The abdominal pain disappeared, the abdominal fluid was gone, and the ovarian cyst reduced in size to 25×22 mm.
This patient had a history of right oophorectomy and cesarean section, which caused abdominal adhesions, creating additional challenges for surgery. Furthermore, the patient expressed a desire to have more children, so doctors always prioritized preserving as much healthy ovarian tissue as possible, even in cases where surgery was required.
In addition, this female patient is holding an important position in a peacekeeping unit in Ghana. This makes her treatment receive special attention from her teammates and other units.
Functional ovarian cysts, or De Graafian cysts, are normal structures during the menstrual cycle that release mature eggs. However, in some cases, rupture of the cyst can cause bleeding into the abdominal cavity, leading to acute blood loss and even life-threatening if not detected and treated promptly. This is a gynecological emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and urgent treatment.
The successful treatment of the Ghanaian female soldier is a testament to the high level of expertise and dedication of the medical team at Vietnam's Level 2 Field Hospital No. 6, contributing to strengthening international trust and friendship.
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