[Complications of appendectomy during pregnancy]

A retrospective investigation revealed that in 11 out of 23 pregnant women submitted to operation on account of suspected appendicitis the diagnosis could be confirmed. The perinatal and the maternal mortalities were both 0. In the women submitted to operation, the frequency of obstetric complications was found to be 17%, 95% confidence limits 5-39%, and the frequency of surgical complications was 17%, 95% confidence limits 5-39%. The diagnostic specificity was found to be significantly higher in women who had previously born children. Brief duration of symptoms preoperatively and operation employing beta-sympathomimetics are recommended.