Mistaken as abnormal pregnancy turns into appendicitis

Ho Chi Minh City Ms. Tho, 36 years old, 23 weeks pregnant, had pain in the right abdomen above the navel, thought there was a problem with the fetus but the doctor diagnosed appendicitis.

On October 10, Master, Doctor Nguyen Kim Tan, Center for Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery of the Digestive System, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Tho, said that Ms. Ho Chi Tho was admitted to the hospital with severe pain in the epigastric region (above the navel), spreading to the right iliac fossa. Obstetricians did not detect any abnormalities in the pregnancy, suspecting that the abdominal pain was related to a gastrointestinal disease.

Blood test results, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the patient had early stage acute appendicitis, with the diameter of the inflamed appendix being 0.8-0.9 cm. The doctor ordered immediate laparoscopic surgery to ensure safety and prevent dangerous complications for mother and child.

Doctor Tan examines Ms. Tho. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital — Doctor Tan examines Ms. Tho. Photo: *Tam Anh General Hospital*

After 20 minutes, the doctor removed the inflamed appendix, without affecting the uterus. After surgery, the pregnant woman was closely monitored by the gastroenterologists and obstetricians to minimize the risk of miscarriage. After two days, the pregnant woman was able to walk around easily, eat well, her health was stable, and the fetus was not affected.

Ms. Tho and her husband after surgery. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital — Ms. Tho and her husband after surgery. Photo: *Tam Anh General Hospital*

Dr. Nguyen Huy Cuong, Obstetrics and Gynecology Center, said that appendicitis in pregnant women is a common surgical disease that can appear at any time during pregnancy, accounting for 1/1,500 pregnant women. If not treated promptly, the pregnant woman and fetus are at risk.

According to Dr. Tan, diagnosing and treating appendicitis in pregnant women is more difficult because the signs of intestinal disease are easily confused with common conditions of pregnancy. The older the gestational age, the larger the uterus, pushing the cecum and appendix higher, so complications are more likely to occur if detected late. Appendicitis, necrosis, and rupture of the appendix cause pus to spread to the abdomen, leading to total peritonitis, increasing the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and threatening the mother's life.

Doctors said that Ms. Tho was lucky to be hospitalized with early signs of illness and to be monitored promptly. After an appendectomy, pregnant women need to have a care regimen and follow the doctor's instructions to have a healthy pregnancy.

Dr. Kim Tan recommends that pregnant women with signs of digestive abnormalities should go to a reputable medical facility for examination and treatment by a doctor until the symptoms of digestive disease are gone. If symptoms persist, pregnant women should be hospitalized for monitoring and to prevent dangerous complications for both mother and child.

Quyen Phan

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