[Appendectomies for suspected acute appendicitis during pregnancy: experience at a Chilean public hospital]

Abstract

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common non obstetric surgical emergency during pregnancy.

Aim: To asses our experience in the diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis occurring during pregnancy.

Patients and methods: Data from all pregnant patients who were subjected to an appendectomy for a suspected acute appendicitis from January 1998 to December 2002, were retrospectively analyzed. All pathological, surgical, clinical records and the delivery outcome registry of each patient were reviewed.

Results: Among 47,322 deliveries, 46 pregnant women aged 29+/-9 years and with a gestational age of 21+/-7 weeks, were operated because of a presumptive acute appendicitis. Forty (87%) had a histopathologically proven appendicitis; ten (25%) cases had a perforated appendix and 30 (75%) had a non-perforated appendicitis. Five (10.9%) patients had a negative laparotomy and one had a necrotic ovarian tumor. Patients with perforated and non perforated appendices had a similar lapse from the onset of symptoms to operation (69+/-45 and 50+/-34 hours respectively, NS) and a similar white cell count (15,667+/-3,707 and 13,006+/-5,206 cells/mm(3), respectively, NS). Wound infection was the most common surgical complication in 15%. Seven (15%) patients had a premature delivery and there was one fetal death (2.2%). There were no pregnancy complications on negative appendectomy cases.

Conclusions: Acute appendicitis continues to be a challenge in diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy. Maternal and fetal outcome was better than previously reported.