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Acute appendicitis during pregnancy
J Sakhri1, S Youssef, D Ben Letaifa
1Service de Chirurgie Générale et Digestive, CHU Farhat Hached Sousse, Tunisie.
La Tunisie Medicale
|March 26, 2002
Summary
Diagnosing acute appendicitis in pregnant patients is challenging due to physiological changes. Prompt surgical intervention is crucial to prevent maternal complications and fetal loss.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Surgical Emergencies
Background:
- Acute appendicitis is the most frequent surgical emergency during pregnancy.
- Pregnancy-related physiological changes complicate appendicitis diagnosis.
Observation:
- A retrospective review analyzed 23 pregnant patients with suspected acute appendicitis.
- Patients presented across all trimesters: 2 in the first, 6 in the second, and 15 in the third trimester.
Findings:
- 18 patients (78.26%) had confirmed acute appendicitis.
- Perforation occurred in 2 cases.
- Postoperative fetal complications included one intrauterine death and three premature births.
Implications:
- Timely diagnosis and surgical management are vital in pregnant patients.
- Prompt intervention can mitigate risks of maternal morbidity and fetal loss.