A Case of Single-Port Appendectomy for Acute Appendicitis in a 20-Week Pregnant Woman

Abstract

A 39-year-old, 20-week pregnant woman presented with lower right abdominal pain. She was suspected of acute appendicitis at the obstetrics department and was referred to our department. Ultrasonography imaging (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed swelling and wall thickening of her appendix, and she was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Because she was in the second trimester of her pregnancy, an operation was performed. The operation was started by single-port laparoscopic surgery. The surgical table was rotated to a slight head lower and left lower position at the spine position to secure the field of view. The operation was completed only by approaching from the navel. She discharged from the hospital on the third postoperative day and gave birth to a healthy child in her 42nd week of pregnancy. Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy is superior in cosmetic change, and may be the procedure of choice for appendectomy in pregnant women.