THE SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT OF INTRAABDOMINAL INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS DURING PREGNANCY

The accurate diagnosis and timely surgical treatment of certain types of intra-abdominal inflammatory conditions during pregnancy can be a challenge for the surgeon evaluating these patients. Anatomic and physiologic alterations occurring normally during pregnancy can modify the usual patterns of presentation, both symptoms and signs, of intraabdominal conditions requiring surgical intervention, contributing to delay in seeking medical attention, timely referral for surgical evaluation, or the initiation of appropriate diagnostic procedures. Delays in diagnosis and definitive treatment represent the most significant risk for untoward outcome in both the mother and the fetus and have been well documented.(3, 16, 37) What is less clear is the risk represented to the maternal pair of the necessary diagnostic imaging, empiric or therapeutic antibiotic treatment, and the various surgical options now available for the operative treatment of the underlying disease process, Including the use of laparascopic techniques for diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this article is to review the most common intra-abdominal inflammatory conditions occurring during pregnancy which require surgical evaluation and treatment in order to address these issues.