Surgical Emergencies in Pregnancy - A Retrospective Analysis of Six Surgical Departments and Review of Literature

Abstract

Background: Surgical emergencies during pregnancy, although rare, present critical challenges for medical professionals, requiring a careful balance between the immediate needs of the mother and the potential risks to the fetus. Material and Methods: This retrospective multicentric study evaluates the diagnostic characteristics and management strategies for non-obstetric acute abdomen in pregnant women admitted to general surgery departments across six clinics in Romania from 2017 to 2022. Results: The study analyzed 70 cases, focusing on diagnostic processes, management approaches, and outcomes. Findings revealed that while surgical intervention was predominant, conservative management was also significant. Acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis were the most common emergencies. Conclusions: The study highlights the necessity of a nuanced approach in diagnosis and tailored anesthetic management to ensure favorable outcomes, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention and the need for further research to develop standardized guidelines.

Keywords: acuteabdomen; non-obstetricemergencies; pregnancy; surgicalintervention.