Acute appendicitis during pregnancy

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency during pregnancy. It should be suspected when a pregnant woman complains of newly developed abdominal pain. No laboratory finding was found to be conclusive for acute appendicitis during pregnancy. A considerable percentage of fetal loss occurs after appendectomy in pregnant women during the first trimester, but also during the second. The combination of symptoms and clinical findings are crucial in making the diagnosis of acute appendicitis during pregnancy. Uterine contractions and diffuse or periumbilical abdominal pain, which migrates into the right lower quadrant are significantly more frequent among pregnant women with acute appendicitis than in pregnant women with other types of abdominal pathology. Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, leukocyte count, CRP and body temperature were of no help in establishing the correct diagnosis. The maternal morbidity and mortality were no higher than they were in other, non-pregnant individuals with acute appendicitis. However, the complications of the pregnancy itself were found to be significant.

Keywords

• pregnancy
• acute appendicitis
• diagnostic procedures
• complication