The Role of Laparoscopic Surgery in Pregnant Women with Nonobstetric Acute Abdomen

Abstract

Introduction: Nonobstetric acute abdomen in pregnant women is a challenging situation. Such cases are most often the result of acute intra-abdominal inflammatory processes, most often of acute appendicitis. The need for minimally invasive techniques in such cases, such as laparoscopic surgery, is evident. Aim: The aim of this article is to present experience, during the last 5 years, with treating 5 pregnant women who had acute abdomen and laparoscopic procedures. Materials and methods: During a period of 5 years, from 2002 to 2007, 5 pregnant women, with a mean age of 29.5, were treated. They had acute abdomen the second trimester of gestation. Two (2) of these patients had acute appendicitis and were subjected to laparoscopic appendectomy; 1 patient had a torsion of an enlarged right ovary, which was reduced laparoscopically; and the remaining 2 patients had acute cholecystitis and were subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results: All patients recovered in the operating room and were discharged from the hospital after a mean stay of 1.5 days. No major or minor postoperative complications were observed concerning the operations as well as the pregnancies. All women gave birth to normal fetuses in term with the exception of 1 of the cholecystectomy patients who gave birth 20 days preterm. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery is safe and effective if used prudently in pregnant patients and can prove to be life-saving for the fetus and mother. (J GYNECOL SURG 26:251)