Laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic surgery is known for its many advantages, but the use of this modality during pregnancy is still under discussion.


METHODS
The subjects in this discussion are the unknown influence of the pneumoperitoneum and the fear of damaging the uterus while inserting the Veress needle and trocars. In a review of recent literature describing laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy, no complications were seen. We performed four laparoscopic appendectomies and three laparoscopic cholecystectomies between 12 and 33 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA).


RESULTS
All pregnancies passed without complications and ended in at-term deliveries of healthy babies.


CONCLUSIONS
The risks, precautions to avoid them, and the safety of laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy are discussed in the light of our experience and reports in recent literature.
Lemaire
B M
BM
Department of Surgery, Deaconess Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
van Erp
W F
WF
D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D016896:Treatment Outcome