Question and Answer: 5 months pregnant with acute appendicitis, if surgery under anesthesia, will there be any effect?

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Hello doctor. I am 5 months pregnant and have acute appendicitis pain, if surgery will affect my pregnancy? Please consult a doctor for my case. Thank you.
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Hello. Anyone can undergo surgery or medical procedures that require anesthesia, as it makes surgery more convenient. For pregnant women, it is very important to understand the method of anesthesia during surgery to reduce pain.
For her case, specifically 5 months pregnant with appendicitis, surgery and anesthesia are quite complicated during pregnancy, because it must ensure both pain relief as well as safety for mother and baby. . The doctor will only appoint surgery when the disease affects the health of the mother or baby. Therefore, only 0.75-2% of women need surgery while pregnant.
When using general anesthesia, the anesthetic can pass through the placental blood vessels and pass into the baby's body. (There is still no concrete evidence that anesthetics harm pregnant women. Animal experiments have shown that anesthesia can affect a baby's behavior later in life.) Regional anesthesia is often preferred for pregnant women during surgery. This indication is intended to minimize the risk to mother and baby.
However, in her case, when she operated on an inflamed appendix, the anesthetic method applied was general anesthesia, her pregnancy was over 4 months, so the baby's organs have formed, so she is not afraid of the effects of anesthetics on later organ development. After surgery, doctors will use pain relievers that have little effect on the fetus.
Besides, to ensure the best health, you should do it at large hospitals with good facilities such as hospitals under Vinmec Health System. We look forward to seeing you soon to have an in-depth discussion about your health. Best regards.
Answered by Specialist Doctor II Dinh Van Loc - Anesthesiologist - General Surgery Department - Vinmec Danang International Hospital

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