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Ninety-four appendectomies for suspected acute appendicitis during pregnancy
Torsten Ueberrueck1, Andreas Koch, Lutz Meyer
1Department of Surgery, Carl-Thiem-Hospital, Thiemstrasse 111, 03048 Cottbus, Germany. t.ueberrueck@ctk.de
World Journal of Surgery
|April 16, 2004
Summary
Acute appendicitis in pregnancy is rare. Early diagnosis and surgery are crucial, especially in later trimesters, balancing risks of appendicitis complications against pregnancy loss.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Surgical Gastroenterology
Background:
- Acute appendicitis during pregnancy is uncommon, with limited data from national registries.
- Appendicitis diagnosis in pregnancy is challenging due to atypical presentations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze perioperative data on appendicitis treatment in pregnant women.
- To assess outcomes including perforation rates, maternal mortality, and pregnancy complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of consecutive perioperative data from 1974-2000.
- Inclusion of 94 pregnant women who underwent appendectomy among 9793 total cases.
Main Results:
- Appendicitis occurred across all trimesters, with 50% atypical presentations in the second trimester.
- Overall perforation rate was 14.9%, increasing to 26.1% in the third trimester.
- Maternal mortality was 0%, but combined miscarriage/abortion rate was 8.5%; infant mortality was 3.2%.
Conclusions:
- First-trimester appendicitis requires careful consideration for surgery due to high postoperative abortion rates.
- Early exploratory surgery is recommended in the second and third trimesters due to diagnostic difficulties.