Location of the appendix in the gravid patient: a re-evaluation of the established concept.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the anatomical location of the appendix, as it may change during pregnancy.


METHODS
In this prospective study conducted from October 1995 to March 1999, 291 women of reproductive age were evaluated for appendix location. They were divided into three groups: group A, 165 women between 37 and 40 weeks of pregnancy who underwent elective cesarean delivery; group B, 26 women between 19 and 39 weeks of gestation with acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomy; and group C (the control group), 100 non-pregnant women with acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomy. Appendix location was considered normal within 2 cm of the McBurney point; otherwise, it was considered to be a position change.


RESULTS
In group A, 2 (15%) of 165 women and in group B, 6 (23%) of 26 women had a change in the position of the appendix. In the control group, 17% had change in position. There were no significant differences between group A and B compared with group C. In group B, no relation between height of fundus and point of tenderness was seen.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study did not show that pregnancy changes the location of the appendix.
Hodjati
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Department of General Surgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. hodjatih@sums.ac.ir
Kazerooni
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001065:Appendix / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003210:Concept Formation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies