Single-incision Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy—A Report of Two Cases—

Abstract

Laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis in pregnant women has been commonly reported in Japan, but reports of single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) are still limited. We encountered two cases of acute appendicitis in pregnant women who underwent SILA. Case 1 was a 23-year-old woman completing 23 weeks of pregnancy, and Case 2 was a 33-year-old woman completing 15 weeks pregnant. Both patients complained of abdominal pain and were diagnosed with acute appendicitis following CT examination. Thereafter, the patients urgently underwent SILA. The postoperative course was good without complications, and both patients experienced a normal delivery. Laparoscopic appendectomy for pregnant women is minimally invasive ; however, devising the port arrangement according to the position of the uterine fundus to avoid interference with the uterus during surgery is necessary. When the uterine fundus does not rise to the umbilicus height, SILA is suitable for acute appendicitis in pregnant women because it can be approached only from the umbilicus.