Original scientific paper

SUSPECTED APPENDICITIS DURING PREGNANCY: PREVALENCE AND MANAGEMENT

Hasan S. Dahamsheh ; Prince Hashem Ben AL-Hussein hospital, Jordanian Royal Medical Services of Jordan, Zarqa

Abstract

Objective. An evaluation of the the clinical picture, diagnostic procedures and outcome of appendicitis in pregnant women. Method. Retrospective analytic study of 28 appendectomies performed during pregnancy for suspected appendicitis in our hospital at period April 2004 to September 2006. All files and medical records of these patients were analyzed and studied. The including variables (demographic, clinical, laboratory and surgical outcomes data) were collected retrospectively. The number of correct and wrong diagnosis were reported and comparison of perinatal outcome, maternal morbidity and different variables in negative and positive laparotomy performed. Results. The prevalence of suspected appendicitis in pregnancy is 0.29%. Incidence of negative laparotomies was 36%. The most correct diagnostic findings for acute appendicitis were history of periumbilical pain, anorexia and iliac fossa findings. Delayed surgical intervention significantly increased maternal morbidity (p=0.003), rate of premature labor (p=0.031) and rate of abortion but not significantly (p=0.28). Conclusion. The prevalence of suspected appendicitis during pregnancy in our environment during this period was higher than the reported incidence; the rate of wrong diagnosis is still high. Good clinical assessment with adjunct ultrasonic examination could reduce the incidence of negative laparotomies and prevent late complications. Delay in operation is leading to higher rate of maternal morbidity and adversely affect the obstetric outcome.

Keywords

pregnancy; appendicitis

Hrčak ID:

69974

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/69974

Publication date:

1.3.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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