J Korean Soc Coloproctol.  2012 Jun;28(3):152-159. 10.3393/jksc.2012.28.3.152.

Appendicitis during Pregnancy: The Clinical Experience of a Secondary Hospital

• Jung SJ
• Lee DK
• Kim JH
• Kong PS
• Kim KH
• Bae SW

• KMID: 1438198
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3393/jksc.2012.28.3.152

Abstract

PURPOSE
Appendicitis is the most common condition leading to an intra-abdominal operation for a non-obstetric problem in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to examine our experience and to analyze the clinical characteristics and the pregnancy outcomes for appendicitis during pregnancy that was reported in Korea.
METHODS
We reported 25 cases of appendicitis during pregnancy that were treated at Good Moonhwa Hospital from January 2004 to March 2010. We also analyzed appendicitis during pregnancy reported in Korea between 1970 and 2008 by a review of journals.
RESULTS
The incidence of acute appendicitis during pregnancy was one per 568 deliveries. The mean age was 27.92 years old, the gestational stage at the onset of symptoms was the first trimester in 10 patients (40%), the second trimester in 14 patients (56%), and the third trimester in 1 patient (4%). Among the 25 cases, 21 were treated with an open appendectomy and 4 with laparoscopic appendectomies. The postoperative complications were 2 wound infections and 1 spontaneous abortion.
CONCLUSION
Our experience demonstrated that appendectomies on pregnant patients can be successfully performed at secondary hospitals.

Keyword

Appendicitis; Pregnancy; Postoperative complications

MeSH Terms

Appendectomy
Appendicitis
Female
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Postoperative Complications
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
Wound Infection