Profile of Non-obstetric Complications of Surgical Importance during Pregnancy

Background: During pregnancy, various organs undergo both anatomical and functional changes that can appreciably alter the criteria for diagnosis and treatment of several diseases to which they are susceptible. Objective: To study frequency of non-obstetric problems of surgical importance during pregnancy, to compare the effect of surgical intervention with conservative management on the maternal health and fetal outcome. Material and Methods: An observational study done over a period of 2 years from January 2003 to January 2005; 38 cases of surgical disorders during pregnancy were diagnosed and treated. Various surgical disorders, treatment variables and outcome were analyzed. Results: Out of 2,296 women who dekivered in our hospital during the study period, 38 patients were admitted due to surgical problems with a frequency of 1.7%. Common mode of presentation of these patients was with abdominal pain and vomiting. Of the 38 patients, 17 (44.7%) underwent surgery and 21 patients (64.7%) were managed conservatively. Of the 17 patients who had surgery, 11 patients (58.8%) had term delivery, four (23.5%) pre-term delivery and two (11.8%) had spontaneous abortion. Of the 21 patients from conservatively managed group, 12 (57%) had term delivery, six (28.6%) preterm delivery and three (14.3%) had a spontaneous abortion. Conclusion: Incidence of surgical complications encountered during pregnancy was 1.7%. Surgery during pregnancy performed when indicated did not seem to have a significant adverse effect on perinatal outcome and maternal morbidity.