Appendicitis and pregnancy

Abstract

In 74,000 obstetrical patients at Los Angeles County Hospital the incidence of acute appendicitis in pregnancy was 0.05 per cent. In a study of 36 cases of clinically diagnosed appendicitis in pregnancy between 1956 and 1960, it was shown that the fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality were decreased when a definite operative procedure was done early. The difficulty in diagnosis is increased by the necessary consideration of pyelonephritis and twisted ovarian cyst. Rupture of the appendix increased hazards to maternal and fetal survival. It was noted also that threatened premature labor may indicate a ruptured appendix. Emergency operation with the use of antibiotics in such cases was effective therapy. The incidence of premature delivery was proportionate to the delay in operating. If operation was performed in less than eight hours after admission to the hospital, there was no maternal or fetal loss. A delay greater than eight hours resulted in a 17 per cent fetal loss in premature delivery and 4 per cent fetal loss of infants at term.