Laparoscopic appendectomy performed during pregnancy by gynecological laparoscopists

Objective: To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and pregnancy outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) during pregnancy. Study design: A retrospective review of eight pregnant women who underwent LA from January 2007 to December 2008. Results: The median age of the patients and median parity were 29.5 years (range, 25-34 years) and 0 (range, 0-1), respectively. The median operating time of LA was 22.5 min (range, 15-40 min). The median length of hospital stay was 3 days (range, 2-4 days). There was no maternal or fetal mortality or morbidity, conversion to laparotomy, or uterine injury. Seven women delivered seven healthy infants. One patient chose to have an elective abortion in another hospital. The histopathological diagnoses of the resected appendices were of acute appendicitis. Conclusion: LA performed by gynecologic laparoscopists in pregnant women is safe, feasible, and effective. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.