Two Cases of Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Acute Appendicitis in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

Abstract

We present two cases in which we performed laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis in the second trimester of pregnancy. The patients were a 19-year-old woman who was 16 weeks pregnant and a 33-year-old woman who was 25 weeks pregnant. Both patients presented with acute abdominal pain and were diagnosed as having acute appendicitis. We could perform the operation safely without any pressure on the uterus by devising a suitable port insertion position. The patients were able to get up and leave the hospital early without any complications. Both also delivered their babies without any problems. It is important for surgery during pregnancy to be safe and less invasive, so as to ensure early resumption of activities and easy pain control. There were still are few reports of laparoscopic appendectomy for appendicitis in pregnant patients in Japan. Laparoscopic appendectomy is useful if it can be performed safely with adoption of a suitable method/suitable port positions.