Acute appendicitis complicating pregnancy

Seventeen cases of acute appendicitis complicating pregnancy were analysed. The presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, nausea and anorexia. The usual physical findings were direct abdominal tenderness and rectal tenderness. Correct diagnosis was more difficult when gestation was advanced. This was reflected both by the severity of the disease process found at operation and by the increasing foetal mortality rate. Delay in diagnosis and treatment is the main factor causing high maternal and foetal death rates, especially when pregnancy is advanced.