A comparison of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy during pregnancy.

Min, Jun Won; Kang, Yun Dan

doi:2011.54.5.236

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2011;54(5):236-240.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.5.236 Published online May 1, 2011.

A comparison of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy during pregnancy.

Jun Won Min, Yun Dan Kang

¹Department of Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. yundan76@dankook.ac.kr

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic appendectomy in pregnancy has not been considered the preferred procedure in appendicitis until recently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of laparoscopic appendectomy during pregnancy as compared with open appendectomy during pregnancy. METHODS: Between January 2003 and June 2010, 65 pregnant women underwent appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis at the department of surgery, Dankook University Hospital. There were 49 patients in the open appendectomy group (OA group) and 16 patients in the laparoscopic group (LA group). We reviewed the charts of pregnant patients who went through an open and laparoscopic appendectomy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the length of the surgery, the hospital stay and the complication rate between the LA and OA groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups for pregnancy outcome. There were no fetal losses or abortions. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy is safe during pregnancy and is associated with good maternal and fetal outcome.

Key Words: Pregnancy, Acute appendicitis, Laparoscopic appendectomy, Open appendectomy