The Pregnant Surgical Patient

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Tamirisa ◽  
Sami Kilic ◽  
Mostafa Borahay

The most vulnerable time for a fetus is during embryogenesis in the first 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy, when women may be unaware of their pregnancy. Once pregnancy is established, a standard approach to the pregnant patient is the optimal way to ensure medical and surgical decisions are made within the context of maintaining the safety of both mother and fetus. This review describes the approach to the pregnant patient for surgical conditions within the context of physiologic changes of the patient and fetus at each trimester, anesthesia and critical care in pregnancy, imaging and drugs safe for use in pregnancy, and nongynecologic surgery in the pregnant patient and specific surgical conditions. Tables outline the classification of abortion, the assessment of pregnancy viability, physiologic changes in pregnancy, laboratory changes in pregnancy, imaging modality and radiation dose, and antibiotics and safety in pregnancy. Figures include a diagram of types of hysterectomy, respiratory changes in pregnancy, and enlargement of the uterus. Algorithms outline the approach to abdominal pain in the pregnant patient and diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy. This review contains 5 figures, 6 tables, and 85 references.

Author(s):  
Jason Fischer ◽  
Lianne McLean

This chapter highlights the increasing use of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) in children. The size and body habitus of infants and children are often ideal for sonographic visualization and make PoCUS an ideal imaging modality for paediatric patients. PoCUS applications that have been traditionally used for adult patients are increasingly being adopted for the care of children. Paediatric-specific applications are also being developed for problems common and unique to paediatrics. Focused abdominal scans for appendicitis, intussusception, and pyloric stenosis are now frequently used in patients presenting with abdominal pain or vomiting. PoCUS can differentiate lung pathology and is helpful in the assessment of suspected skull fractures in non-verbal infants. Ongoing integration of PoCUS into shock, trauma, and triage algorithms support its increasing role in paediatric emergency and critical care.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihaela Grigore ◽  
Camelia Cojocaru ◽  
Alina Mares

AbstractRectus sheath hematoma is an uncommon and often clinically misdiagnosed cause of abdominal pain. We report such a case of a 42-year-old woman who developed an abdominal-wall hematoma at 32 weeks of gestation. Initially, she was suspected as having a complicated ovarian tumor associated with pregnancy, because of the intense abdominal pain. Both ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging proved to be useful in diagnosing rectus sheath hematoma. A conservative management was applied for the rectus sheath hematoma and the patient recovered uneventfully. Although it is a very rare entity, rectus sheath hematoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of every pregnant patient who presents with abdominal pain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 1575
Author(s):  
David Lew ◽  
Jane Tian ◽  
Martine A. Louis ◽  
Darshak Shah

Abdominal pain is a common complaint in pregnancy, especially given the physiological and anatomical changes that occur as the pregnancy progresses. The diagnosis and treatment of common surgical pathologies can therefore be difficult and limited by the special considerations for the fetus. While uncommon in the general population, concurrent or subsequent disease processes should be considered in the pregnant patient. We present the case of a 36 year old, 13 weeks pregnant female who presented with both acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis.


Author(s):  
Ben Turney ◽  
John Reynard

Renal colic is the most common non-obstetric cause for abdominal pain and hospitalization during pregnancy. Ureteric stones occur in about 1 in 2,000 pregnancies, most (>80%) in the second and third trimesters. Primary management concerns are diagnostic foetal radiation exposure and the potential for adverse perinatal events arising either from the stone or from intervention. Indications for intervention are the same as for the non-pregnant patient, but are influenced by obstetric circumstances. Active treatment options may be temporizing (stent or nephrostomy) or definitive (ureteroscopic stone extraction). Historically, temporizing measures were the only recommended treatment option. However, potential problems associated with temporary drainage mechanisms include recurrent obstruction, infection, nephrostomy displacement, encrustation, infection, and pain. These factors may impact on pregnancy. In recent years, advances in surgical technology and technique have permitted definitive ureteroscopic management of stones during pregnancy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
May S. Trezevant ◽  
John C. Winton ◽  
Ashley K. Holmes

Background: Calcium carbonate is often used to relieve Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in pregnant patients. This report describes a potentially serious complication. Case: A pregnant female presented at 34 weeks gestation with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Home medications included an unquantifiable amount of calcium carbonate 500 mg due to constant consumption for GERD. Laboratory findings included elevated calcium, amylase, lipase, and triglyceride level. Pancreatitis was diagnosed and abdominal ultrasound excluded gallstones. Despite hydration, lipase rose and emergency cesarean section was performed. Hypercalcemia was managed by intravenous fluid administration. After delivery, pancreatitis resolved. Conclusion: Pancreatitis developed in pregnant patient with hypercalcemia due to excessive calcium carbonate ingestion and resolved after delivery of the fetus, fluid resuscitation, and return of calcium level to normal.


2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S256-S258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward R. Yeomans ◽  
Larry C. Gilstrap

2021 ◽  
Vol 162 (35) ◽  
pp. 1418-1421
Author(s):  
Márió Attila Vincze ◽  
Gábor Németh ◽  
Tibor Novák

Összefoglaló. Terhességben az élettani és anatómiai változások miatt bizonyos patológiás szervi eltérések nem specifikus tünettannal járhatnak. A várandósság alatt fellépő hasi panaszok esetén lényeges felállítani a gyors és pontos diagnózist, a minél korábbi adekvát terápia érdekében. A klinikai tünetek hátterében többek között állhatnak szülészeti betegségek, illetve appendicitis, megnagyobbodott ovariumcysta, nephrolithiasis vagy diverticulitis is. Esetismertetésünkben egy 32 hetes gravida ellátását prezentáljuk, aki jobb alhasi panaszok miatt jelentkezett a Szegedi Tudományegyetem Szülészeti és Nőgyógyászati Klinikáján. A magzati paraméterek megfelelőek voltak. A klinikai vizsgálatok appendicitis gyanúját vetették fel, mely miatt laparoszkópia történt. Torquálódott jobb oldali tuba uterina miatt jobb oldali salpingectomiát végeztünk, az appendix kóros elváltozása nem igazolódott. Magzati, illetve anyai szövődmény a posztoperatív szakban nem volt. A további terhesgondozás során szövődményt nem észleltünk, majd a betöltött 40. terhességi héten hüvelyi úton egészséges újszülött született. A méhfüggelék megcsavarodásának operatív megoldása laparoszkópos úton alkalmazható módszernek tekinthető terhességben is. Az adnexcsavarodás ritka sürgősségi nőgyógyászati kórképnek számít, bár szakirodalmi adatok alapján az adnexum torsiójának rizikója fokozott lehet a terhesség korai szakaszában, kiváltképp asszisztált reprodukciós technikák alkalmazása esetén. Várandósság alatt hirtelen jelentkező alhasi panaszok esetén az anamnesztikus adatok tükrében, a klinikai vizsgálatok során szükséges az adnextorsio lehetőségére is gondolni. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(35): 1418–1421. Summary. Due to physiological and anatomical changes in pregnancy, certain pathological organ abnormalities may be associated with non-specific symptoms. In the case of abdominal complaints during pregnancy, it is important to make a quick and accurate diagnosis to apply an early adequate therapy. The cause of the clinical symptoms can be obstetrical diseases, appendicitis, large ovarial cyst, rarely nephrolithiasis or diverticulitis. Through our case study, we present the treatment of a 32-week gravida. Examination of the pregnant patient occured at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Szeged due to right lower abdominal pain. The fetal parameters were satisfactory. We assumed appendicitis, so after proper preparation laparoscopy was performed. Salpingectomy was performed because of torqued right fallopian tube and no pathological changes were detected on the appendix. In the postoperative period, there were no fetal or maternal complications. During further care of pregnancy, there were no complications and a healthy newborn was born by vaginal delivery at the 40th week of gestation. The operative procedure of adnexal rotation by laparoscopy can be considered as an applicable method even in pregnancy. Adnexal torsion is a rare emergency gynecological disease, although literature data suggest an increased risk in early pregnancy, especially in the case of assisted reproductive technology. In the case of sudden abdominal pain during pregnancy, in the light of anamnestic data, it is recommended to consider the possibility of adnexal torsion, too. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(35): 1418–1421.


Author(s):  
Jharna Behura ◽  
Sanjiva Kumar ◽  
Poonam Bagga ◽  
Maruti Sinha

Transverse colon volvulus leading to gangrene and perforation is an extremely uncommon acute surgical complication in pregnancy and puerperium, with a very high rate of mortality and morbidity. Surgical resection is the only treatment. Authors present a case of a 20 years. old women, with antepartum eclampsia, who underwent caesarean section for fetal distress. She complained of abdominal pain from second post-operative day. The pain increased in severity and on the third postoperative day, she developed sudden abdominal distention and appeared pale. Ultrasound revealed free intraperitoneal fluid suggestive of hemoperitoneum. An emergency laparotomy was performed. There was about a litre of blood in the peritoneal cavity with clots. The caesarean incision site, uterus adnexa and broad ligaments were all intact. On further exploration, volvulus of the transverse colon was seen along with gangrene and perforation of the middle part of transverse colon. Resection of the gangrenous part was done with closure of the distal loop. Proximal loop was brought out as colostomy. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course thereafter and was discharged on regular diet on 12th postoperative day. Volvulus of transverse colon leading to gangrene is rare in pregnancy and puerperium, but must form part of clinician’s differential diagnosis when encountering a patient with persistent abdominal pain and bowel distention. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention could significantly improve the outcome of this catastrophic condition.


POCUS Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-21
Author(s):  
Stephen Lammers ◽  
Christopher Hong ◽  
Jared Tepper ◽  
Christy Moore ◽  
Cameron Baston ◽  
...  

Background: Complications of fibroids in pregnancy are well known, including postpartum hemorrhage, labor dystocia, and cesarean delivery. Outside of pregnancy and labor, the rare occurrence of spontaneous fibroid rupture has been documented. Case: The current case report involves a woman who presented with acute abdominal pain in the third trimester of pregnancy and was found to have spontaneous rupture of a fibroid before the onset of labor. Her initial presentation, diagnosis through use of point-of-care ultrasound, acute surgical management, and postoperative course are described. Conclusion: When assessing acute abdominal pain in a pregnant patient, fibroid rupture should be considered despite the absence of prior uterine surgery. Bedside point-of-care ultrasonography is a useful tool for assessment of abdominal pain in the third trimester of pregnancy.


2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Furara ◽  
M Maw ◽  
F Khan ◽  
K Powell

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is rare in pregnancy with an incidence estimated to be between 1.2 and 1.9 cases per 100,000 people annually, and it is generally accepted that it carries a high maternal risk. Delayed diagnosis is common because the initial non-specific symptoms may mimic changes in pregnancy. GBS should be considered in any pregnant patient complaining of muscle weakness, general malaise, tingling of the fingers and respiratory discomfort. This case aims to highlight the importance of early diagnosis, allowing prompt initiation of the immunomodulatory treatments which have been shown to improve outcome alongside multidisciplinary care.


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