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Question
Hello doctor,
My wife is currently 18 weeks pregnant, but diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The doctor asked me if I had acute appendicitis during pregnancy, should I have surgery? If I have to have surgery, will it affect the fetus in the abdomen? Thank you doctor.
Anonymous customer
Answer
Answered by Master, Doctor Vu Van Quan - Department of General Surgery & Anesthesia, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Hello,
With the question “Does acute appendicitis during pregnancy require surgery? ”, the doctor would like to answer as follows:
Acute appendicitis is an acute inflammation of the appendix. Obstruction in the lumen of the appendix (fecal calculi, enlarged submucosal lymphatic cysts, foreign body, tumor of the appendix or cecum) may be the cause of inflammation. The bacteria multiply rapidly due to the blockage causing the appendix to become inflamed, swollen and pus. If not treated promptly, the appendix can rupture, causing pus to spread into the abdomen, causing life-threatening peritonitis. In other cases, appendicitis can be confined by surrounding organs and form abscesses.
According to the recommendations, it is better for your wife to have surgery. There is a very low rate after surgery that appendicitis can lead to miscarriage or premature delivery. However, if the appendicitis progresses to rupture, it is even more dangerous for both mother and baby.
At 18 weeks pregnant, it is still possible to have laparoscopic appendectomy. Laparoscopic surgery will reduce the rate of impact on the abdomen, the rate of miscarriage or premature birth will be much reduced.
If you still have questions about acute appendicitis during pregnancy, you can go to the hospital of Vinmec Health System for further examination and advice. Thank you for trusting and sending questions to Vinmec. Wishing you lots of health.
Best regards!
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