Appendicitis during pregnancy.

QUESTION: A 26-year-old patient in our clinic, who was 18 weeks pregnant at the time, experienced acute abdominal pain and was diagnosed with appendicitis. The inflamed appendix was successfully removed. Is her pregnancy at risk?

ANSWER: Appendicitis is not rare during pregnancy and is associated with increased reproductive risk. Women who have undergone appendectomy during pregnancy are at higher risk of fetal loss, especially in early pregnancy and with appendiceal perforation, and of premature contractions and labour. Despite the difficulty of diagnosing appendicitis during pregnancy, appendectomy should not be delayed.