Acute appendicitis in pregnancy--risk factors associated with principal outcomes: a case control study

The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with the principal outcomes in acute appendicitis during pregnancy: appendix-perforation, and maternal and fetal mortality and maternal morbidity.

Fifty-two pregnant women who were diagnosed and operated upon acute appendicitis in Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey were presented.

The frequency of appendicitis was higher in second trimester. On laparotomy 21 patients had perforated, 29 patients had non-perforated and 2 patients had normal appendix. Interval between symptom onset and operation was found as the only predictive variable, which was independently associated with the presence of appendiceal perforation. There was a significant difference between perforated and non-perforated patients about the rate of complications (52% vs. 17%). Gestational age (p=0.036), interval between symptom onset and operation (p=0.018) and white blood cell count (p=0.025) were the variables related with preterm labor. Tocolytic treatment after the onset of contractions could not prevent preterm labor. The rate of fetal mortality was 8%.

Presence of perforation is the only predictive factor for maternal morbidity. The aim of the surgeon should be operating the patient before perforation. An observation period may be essential in equivocal patients, but should be individualized according to duration of symptoms and findings of physical examination. The interval between the symptom onset and operation should never exceed 20 hours. Tocolytics should be ordered for the patients with delayed presentation and advanced gestational age in order to prevent preterm labor and fetal loss.