Emergency non-obstetrics surgery during pregnancy

Female constitute the majority of the population in Nigeria according to the 1991 census. Since most of these are young women in childbearing age, it is to be expected that the need for emergency, non-obstetric surgery will occasionally arise in them. This review article sets out a consideration of the anatomical and physiological factors that influence presentation, diagnosis therapy and outcome in these patients. The various common clinical scenarios are discussed and their outcome reviewed.