Suspected appendicitis in pregnancy

Abstract Aim Acute appendicitis is one of the most common acute surgical presentations. However investigation and management is sometimes confounded in a pregnant patient. Appendicitis in pregnancy is often managed jointly by both the surgical and obstetric teams, which can lead to discrepant pathways, which may be detrimental to the patient. This review sets out to identify the normal physiological changes of pregnancy that pose diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties to the clinician, assess the more common differential diagnoses and review the current evidence to assist achieving a swift diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Methods A literature review of the investigation and management of suspected appendicitis in pregnancy was undertaken. Guidelines by the relevant surgical, obstetric and radiological societies were also reviewed. Results There remains no consensus on the best diagnostic pathway for appendicitis in pregnancy; which is unsurprising given that appendicitis in non-pregnant patients can yield diagnostic conundrums. However this review identifies a role for MRI scanning as a useful adjunct in these patients. The increasing role of laparoscopy in these patients is also becoming more apparent. Conclusion Appendicitis in pregnancy remains a complex problem necessitating a close working relationship between various specialties to achieve the best outcome for mother and fetus.