Acute appendicitis in pregnant – review of the literature and our own experience

Introduction. Acute appendicitis in pregnant women is essential clinical problem. Physiologic differencies of pregnancy can cause problems in diagnosis and proper treatment. Material and methods. In period 2004-2013 35 pregnant women were operated on with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The diagnosis was proven at the time of operation in 29 cases. Causes of remain 6 cases were related to other intra-abdominal pathology. Results. In group of 29 patients with acute appendicitis mean age was 28.4 years. Appendicitis occurred most often in second trimester of pregnancy. In all cases occurred pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen, in 78% nausea and vomiting were observed and in 75% leukocytosis was higher than 11.0 K/uL. 89.7% patients were operated on in first 24 hours after admission to the hospital. Conclusions. Surgical treatment of acute appendicitis in pregnant women should be taken in first 24 hours after admission to the hospital.