Evaluation of acute abdominal condition in pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Acute abdomen is a general term for acute abdominal diseases accompanied primarily by sudden abdominal pain for which a decision perform emergency surgery must be made in a very short time. Acute abdomen in pregnancy remain one of the most challenging diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas today. Objective: To determine the most common causes of acute abdominal Condition in pregnancy. Patient and Methods: This is a prospective study were performed in AL. Zahraa and AL. Sader Teaching Hospital of AL. Najef city during the period from 1st of December 2012 till 1st of December 2013. The study included 120 pregnant Female in different trimester whose presented to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain. Patient age vary from 10- 50 years, we divided these cases into obstetric and non-obstetric causes according to result of clinical examination and laboratory investigation, abdominal and pelvic ultrasound. Result: There is a variable difference between the causes of acute abdomen in pregnancy according to age group and trimesters. Conclusion: Our study shows that a major cause of acute abdomen in Pregnancy is ectopic pregnancy then acute appendicitis.