Acute abdomen in pregnancy increases the risk of obstetric complications without influencing maternal-foetal outcomes El abdomen agudo en el embarazo aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones obstétricas sin influir en el pronóstico materno-fetal Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U.Nonobstetric acute abdomen accounts for only a small percentage of non-obstetric surgeries carried out during pregnancy. However, its consequences for both mother and child can be severe without proper diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of non-obstetric acute abdomen in our population, and its effects on pregnancy outcomes. The medical records of pregnant women attending a secondary care hospital in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, between January 2009 and September 2013 were analyzed. A total of 113 files matched the inclusion criteria. The clinical files of 113 healthy pregnant women were matched as a control group. A total incidence of 0.3% was calculated, with the highest incidence of non-obstetric acute abdomen in the second trimester (29.6%). The most common aetiologies were acute appendicitis (39.8%), complicated biliary disease (28.3%) and non-complicated biliary disease (25.7%). Medical treatment was given to 51.3% of the patients, with the remaining 48.7% requiring surgical intervention. The risk of developing obstetric adverse events was greater in the acute abdomen group than in the control group, with a 1.9 odds ratio. (CI: 1.04-3.8; p < 0.3). However, no significant difference was found in pregnancy outcomes. This result can be explained in part by an effective response from the medical team and hospital personnel. Nevertheless, if future studies with a larger sample population observe a negative impact on pregnancy outcomes, the implementation of highly effective diagnostic and therapeutic measures for non-obstetric acute abdomen during pregnancy could be warranted.

publication date

  • April 1, 2017