THE DEVELOPMENT of a small corpus luteum cyst or hematoma in the ovary is not uncommon, for varying degrees of hemorrhage and cystic enlargement normally occur during the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy. The majority of these cysts and hematomas regress spontaneously without producing clinical symptoms. A few, however, enlarge beyond the norm, become pathological, and create surgical emergencies of various natures.
Emergencies resulting from corpus luteum cysts and hematomas are not too uncommon, although relatively few reports have appeared in the literature. In most of the reported cases the complications have been due to rupture of the corpus luteum with resulting hemoperitoneum. Few isolated cases of other types of complications have been described.
In an attempt to summarize the various surgical complications that result from a corpus luteum, the following study was undertaken. It comprises a review of material from the departments of surgery and gynecology of St. Joseph