Objective: Utility of laparoscopic procedures in pregnant women. Is laparoscopy safe for the foetus?
Material and methods: Between 1996 an 2002 14 pregnant patients were admitted and laparoscopy was performed.
Results: In 10 cases laparoscopic cyst enucleation (6 simplex, 1 endometrial, 3 dermoidal), in 1 case myomectomy and in 2 adnexectomy was performed. There were no complications during surgery. In one case miscarriage occurred 3 weeks after laparoscopic surgery and 9 healthy babies were delivered.
Discussion: There is no doubt that laparoscopy is well accepted in gynecological surgery and is going to be more and more accepted in obstetrics. Due to several differences between non-pregnant and pregnant women laparoscopic procedures in pregnancy require special attention. All papers show good foetal outcome even with preterm labour. In our material all babies were born healthy.
Conclusions: Laparoscopic procedures during pregnancy are feasible and safe. Nevertheless they have to be performed by experienced gynecological-surgical teams.