Laparoscopic or open appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis in pregnancy and evaluation of foetal outcome in Australia

Abstract

Background: Recent data suggest that laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) in pregnancy is associated with higher rates of foetal loss when compared to open appendicectomy (OA). However, the influence of gestational age and maternal age, both recognized risk factors for foetal loss, was not assessed. Method: This was a multicentre retrospective review of all pregnant patients who underwent appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis from 2000 to 2012 across seven hospitals in Australia. Perioperative data and foetal outcome were evaluated. Results: Data on 218 patients from the seven hospitals were included in the analysis. A total of 125 underwent LA and 93 OA. There were seven (5.6%) foetal losse..