Incidental Fetoscopy During Laparoscopy in Pregnancy: Management of Perforation of the Gravid Uterus

The safety and effectiveness of elective laparoscopic surgery for benign ovarian cysts during pregnancy-Comparison with emergency surgery

AIM

Relatively small benign ovarian cysts are conservatively managed in early pregnancy. However, emergency surgery is required should acute abdomen occur. Our study aimed to examine and compare the outcomes of benign ovarian cysts treated with elective laparoscopic surgery or emergency surgery during pregnancy.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2017, we treated 135 pregnant patients (110 elective and 25 emergencies) with benign ovarian cysts at our tertiary perinatal center and compared their surgical and perinatal outcomes.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in cyst diameter (7.6 ± 2.5 vs. 6.8 ± 2.1 cm), but cysts <6 cm were significantly more common in emergency (36%) than in elective (15%) cases. Mature teratomas were significantly more common in elective cases (89% vs. 52%) but corpus luteum cysts were more common in emergency cases (0% vs. 32%). The rates of laparoscopic surgery (98.2% vs. 52.0%) and ovarian conservation (99.1% vs. 80.0%) were significantly higher, and post-surgical hospitalization (4.6 ± 1.3 vs. 9.8 ± 10.5 days) was significantly shorter in elective than in emergency cases. There was no significant difference in the gestational age for delivery (38.9 ± 1.9 vs. 38.4 ± 2.7 weeks), preterm birth rate (12% vs. 20%), or birth weight (2939 ± 469 vs. 3019 ± 510 g).

CONCLUSIONS

We cannot state that an emergency surgery during pregnancy is rarely required for small benign ovarian cysts. However, the surgical outcomes were significantly better for elective than for emergency surgery, with no difference in perinatal outcomes. If a benign ovarian cyst is found early in pregnancy, elective laparoscopic surgery may be considered with adequate informed consent.

Inadvertent Perforation of a Gravid Uterus During Laparoscopy

Background

Laparoscopic surgery is safe in pregnancy, but is not without risk. Inadvertent uterine perforation of the gravid uterus is a rare complication.

Cases

Three pregnant women had inadvertent uterine perforation during laparoscopic surgery. All patients were counseled regarding the risks of an "incidental fetoscopy" and elected to continue the pregnancy. Two delivered after preterm premature rupture of membranes at 32 and 36 weeks' gestation, and one twin pregnancy delivered at 30 weeks due to preeclampsia.

Conclusion

Surgical planning of the gravid patient undergoing laparoscopic surgery should include demarcation of the most superior aspect of the uterine fundus, either via physical examination or, if not conclusive, via preoperative or intraoperative ultrasound.

Perforation of the Pregnant Uterus during Laparoscopy for Suspected Internal Herniation after Gastric Bypass

We report perforations of a pregnant uterus during laparoscopy for suspected internal herniation after gastric bypass at 24 weeks of gestation. Abdominal access and gas insufflation were achieved by the use of a 12 mm optic trocar. An additional 5 mm trocar was positioned. The perforations were handled by suturing following laparotomy and mobilisation of the high located uterus. The uterine fundus was located in the subcostal area. Internal herniation was not verified. A cesarean section was made 6 weeks later due to acute low abdominal pain. During delivery the uterus was found normal. At 5 months of age the child has developed normal and seems healthy. Optical trocars should be used with caution for abdominal access during laparoscopy in pregnancy. Open access should probably be preferred in most cases. Accidental perforations of the uterine cavity may be handled in selected cases with simple closure even following the use of large trocars under close postoperative surveillance throughout the pregnancy.

APPENDICITIS IN PREGNANCY

Acute appendicitis is the most common non-obstetric indication for surgical intervention in pregnancy, complicating 1/500 to 1/2000 deliveries. Due to the anatomical and physiological changes associated with pregnancy, appendicitis may present a diagnostic dilemma, leading to management delays and thus increasing the risk of appendiceal perforation. Many of the common presenting symptoms of appendicitis are common features of normal pregnancy including lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and leukocytosis. Furthermore, the enlarging gravid uterus may displace the appendix to varying degrees thus altering the classic symptom pattern of appendicitis. The often nonspecific presentation in pregnancy may necessitate the utilization of diagnostic imaging to aid in accurate diagnosis. However, the perforated appendix is the most common surgical cause of fetal loss and the time required for any diagnostic aid must be weighed against the increasing risk of perforation caused by delay in surgical intervention.