Laparoscopic or open appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis in pregnancy and evaluation of foetal outcome in Australia.

Background: Recent data suggest that laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) in pregnancy is associated with higher rates of foetal loss when compared to open appendicectomy (OA). However, the influence of gestational age and maternal age, both recognized risk factors for foetal loss, was not assessed.

Method: This was a multicentre retrospective review of all pregnant patients who underwent appendicectomy for suspected appendicitis from 2000 to 2012 across seven hospitals in Australia.