Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis during pregnancy

Acute appendicitis is the most common non-obstetric surgical problem in pregnant patients. As minimally invasive surgery has developed, minimising surgical trauma and improving cosmetic outcomes have led to the development of single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of SPLS for acute appendicitis during pregnancy.

Between September 2014 and May 2016, 12 pregnant patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis and having single-port laparoscopic appendectomy were included in the study.

The median gestational age at surgery was 16 weeks (6-30 weeks). All operations were completed safely and without vascular or visceral injury. Four patients (33.3%) required conversion to a reduced-port laparoscopic surgery with 3 patients (25%) having a 5 mm port inserted because of perforated appendicitis with drain placement, and 1 patient (8.3%) having a 2-mm needle instrument insertion. Median operation time was 60 min (32-100 min), and a drainage tube was placed in 5 patients (41.7%). Median total length of incision was 2 cm (1.2-2.5 cm). The median time to soft diet initiation and length of stay in the hospital were 1 day (0-9 days) and 5 days (2-11 days), respectively. Two patients (8.0%) developed post-operative complications: One wound site bleeding and two surgical site infections. One case of abortion (8.3%) was noted on the post-operative day 1 and one case of imperforate hymen was noted after delivery.

SPLS appendectomy is feasible and safe for treating patients with acute appendicitis during pregnancy.