[Acute appendicitis during pregnancy: report of 4 cases].

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis is the more frequent no obstetric surgical emergency during pregnancy with an incidence of 1 in 1500 pregnancies. The clinical diagnosis is difficult because of the physiological changes of pregnancy itself. If not treated early increases the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the diagnosis and treatment of four cases of acute appendicitis during pregnancy.

CLINICAL CASE: Four cases of acute appendicitis during pregnancy diagnosed in the period of a month. Gestational age at diagnosis of appendicitis was between 8 and 13 week. All patients underwent laparotomy; three cases were appendicitis phase II and one phase III. The preoperative was managed with indomethacin and ceftriaxone. There were no maternal or obstetric complications.

CONCLUSIONS: An early diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis during pregnancy, and a multidisciplinary approach between surgeon, obstetrician and anesthesiologist is the basis for success in the management of these patients.