Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy-Current Management-Review Article
H. R. Kumar *
Department of Surgery, Taylor’s University School of Medicine Health Science, Subang Jaya, Selangor- 47500, Malaysia.
M. Soma
Department of Surgery, Taylor’s University School of Medicine Health Science, Subang Jaya, Selangor- 47500, Malaysia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The management of acute appendicitis in pregnancy is considered controversial, as there is no consensus in terms of diagnosis, investigation, and treatment. Blood investigations like full blood count are of limited value due to the physiological changes that occur in pregnancy. The use of abdominal ultrasound has always been mandatory but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is slowly becoming an alternative in the investigation of this condition. Open appendectomy has always been the treatment of choice, but laparoscopic appendectomy is becoming an emerging trend in the management of acute appendicitis in pregnancy. We conducted this narrative review article to evaluate the diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis in pregnancy.
Keywords: Appendicitis in pregnancy, laparoscopic appendectomy, open appendectomy, acute appendicitis.