DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS IN PREGNANT WOMEN: A LITERATURE REVIEW

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593382330056

• Palavras-chave: Pregnancy. Appendicitis.

• Keywords: Pregnancy. Appendicitis.

• Abstract:

  Appendicitis is the main cause of non-obstetric urgency and emergency during pregnancy. However, its diagnosis differs from that given to non-pregnant patients, due to the clinical particularities of pregnancy. Furthermore, regarding management, there is a consensus that the surgical approach must be chosen. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the best approach for the diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in pregnant women. The methodology of this summary consists of an integrative review of the current medical literature on the diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in pregnant women. Through the analysis of the selected studies, there was a clear consensus regarding the use of imaging tests for the final diagnosis, however, avoiding radioactive methods. With regard to treatment, despite reservations, laparoscopy was superior to open surgery. Therefore, attention must be paid to the peculiarities of the diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis in order to avoid maternal-fetal complications.