Appendicitis and Cholecystitis in Pregnancy

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jun;63(2):405-415. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000529.

Abstract

Up to 2% of pregnant women develop a disease that requires nonobstetrical operative intervention during pregnancy. We discuss the issues unique to pregnant patients as they pertain to the presentation, diagnosis, and management of nonobstetric surgical disease, with an emphasis on 2 of the most common diseases that affect pregnant women: appendicitis and cholecystitis. Surgery has been demonstrated to be safe and effective during pregnancy, provided proper precautions are taken into account. It is the consensus of multiple professional committees and societies that no pregnant women should be delayed or denied a necessary surgery because of pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Appendectomy* / adverse effects
  • Appendectomy* / methods
  • Appendicitis* / diagnosis
  • Appendicitis* / surgery
  • Cholecystectomy* / adverse effects
  • Cholecystectomy* / methods
  • Cholecystitis* / diagnosis
  • Cholecystitis* / surgery
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Complications* / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications* / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications* / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications* / surgery
  • Risk Adjustment / methods*
  • Time-to-Treatment