Objective: To describe perioperative management and perinatal outcome for patients undergoing laparoscopy during pregnancy.
Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all cases of laparoscopy during pregnancy performed in our university hospital over a period of six years (from February 2000 to February 2006).
Results: We observed 34 cases managed from five to 30 weeks of gestation (11 cases of adnexal torsion, ten adnexal masses, eight appendicitis, one cholecystitis, one sigmoid volvulus, one pelvic peritonitis, two heterotopic pregnancies). Open laparoscopy was used in 12 cases. Conversion was required in two cases mainly due to adherences (one borderline lesion at 16 weeks and one tubal cyst torsion at 24 weeks). No maternal complication was observed. One miscarriage occurred at Day 1 (peritonitis, five weeks of gestation) and one patient opted for abortion. No threatened preterm labour occurred after the perioperative course and no neonate required admission in neonatology unit.
Discussion and conclusion: This study illustrates safety and efficacy of laparoscopy in management of surgical diseases in the gravid patient. Emergent indications are the most common, highlighting the need for all physicians to know specific recommendations related to laparoscopy during pregnancy.