Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy in Baghdad Teaching Hospital

Background: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical problem in pregnancy (non-obstetric emergencies in pregnancy) but it does not occur more often in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women, the incidence is 0.1% - 0.2%. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical presentation of pregnant patients at different trimesters, the change in pain location during pregnancy and maternal complications during hospitalization. Patients & methods: Sixty two pregnant patients with diagnosis of acute appendicitis from October 2010 to February 2012 in Baghdad Teaching Hospital - Medical City were followed up prospectively. Analysis was done on relation of acute appendicitis to trimesters of pregnancy, site of pain changing according to trimesters, and whether maternal complications and abortion occurred during hospitalization. Results: Sixty two pregnant patients with diagnosis of acute appendicitis underwent emergency appendectomy. The age range of the patients was 16-41 years, occurred most commonly in the second trimester, majority of pregnant patients with acute appendicitis were multigravidas. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain. Patients who did not have a scar of previous caesarean section, the change in the site of the appendix and maximum site of tenderness was more than those who had previous scar. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of acute appendicitis in pregnant women is vital. Early appendectomy prevents complicated conditions.