1 | INTRODUCTION
Appendicitis is one of the most common acute abdominal conditions, with
a lifetime incidence of 7-9 %. Pregnancy is said to protect against
appendicitis [1,2]. Standard treatment for appendicitis is
laparoscopic (LapApp) or open appendectomy (OpenApp). Appendicitis
during pregnancy requires accurate diagnostics, timely appropriate
choice of management, and good communication between obstetrician,
anaesthetist, and surgeon. Clinical examination, laboratory testing, and
imaging (ultrasound scanning and computer tomography) are routine in
non-pregnant women [3]. Computer tomography scan during pregnancy is
rarely performed since it exposes the foetus to radiation, making acute
appendicitis more difficult to diagnose accurately. Furthermore, in the
second half of pregnancy, LapApp is difficult and time-consuming
[4].
There are models for predicting the presence and severity of
appendicitis in pregnant women [5]. An increased platelet:
lymphocyte ratio has been reported in pregnant women with appendicitis
[6]. Previous studies have shown that hyponatraemia is a negative
predictive factor in appendicitis in children [7]. A Swedish
population-based study suggested that pregnancy is protective against
appendicitis, with lower risk during pregnancy and an increased risk in
the peri- and postpartum periods [2].
The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of pregnancy after
appendectomy, mode of surgery, appendectomy rates, and complications
associated with appendectomy during pregnancy.