ABSTRACT
To study the safety and outcome of laparoscopic surgery in pregnancy in non obstetrical abdominal emergencies in a tertiary referral teaching hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Prospective observational study. This study was carried out at Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from March 2004 till Feb 2010. All the pregnant females presenting with acute abdominal pain requiring surgical intervention underwent laparoscopic surgery by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. Total of twelve laparoscopic procedures were performed in pregnancy for nonobstetrical emergencies at variable gestational ages representing all the three trimesters. Outcome of the procedures, complications, hospital stay and follow up was recorded and compared with the relevant literature on open and laparoscopic surgery in similar situations. All the patients had successful laparoscopic procedures with no complications to pregnancy. One patient developed laparoscopic port site infection and another patient had a brief episode of pulmonary edema. All the patients were followed till the end of their pregnancies and delivered healthy babies. For pregnant females presenting with acute abdominal conditions laparoscopic surgery is safe, feasible and the preferred option provided adequate laparoscopic facilities and expertise exists