Acute Appendicitis in Pregnancy: a Diagnostic and Management Challenge

Acute appendicitis is the most common extra-uterine surgical emergency encountered during pregnancy, but an accurate diagnosis is still an enigma. Anatomical shifting of the appendix by the enlarging uterus makes the clinical and sonographic diagnosis difficult. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent perforation, which increases the risk of fetal and maternal death. Surgical intervention, either by an open laparotomy or laparoscopy is the most appropriate treatment for appendicitis. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, investigation, complications and treatment of acute appendicitis in pregnancy.

Dilemma of Pregnant Ladies with Breast Cancer

Gestational breast cancer (GBC) or pregnancyassociated breast cancer was defined as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy and within 1 year of delivery. Breast cancer is the second commonest cancer after cervical seen in pregnancy and lactation. Nevertheless, the incidence is low and accounts for approximately 1 in 3000 of pregnancies. A delay in diagnosis is common and 70% to 89% of patients with operable primary lesions already have positive axillary lymph nodes. Breast cancer identified during pregnancy can be extremely distressing for the mother despite it has similar course of disease and prognosis seen in nonpregnant women of the same age and stage of disease. Diagnostic and treatment options should be carefully decided to prevent further harm to the mother or any potential risk to the developing fetus.

Ebstein’s Anomaly Corrected by Tissue Valve: Case Report.

Ebstein’s anomaly is a rare form of congenital heart disease with incidence of 1% of all congenital heart diseases. There are two modes of surgical correction of Ebstein’s anomaly: either biventricular repair with or without tricuspid valve replacement, or palliative univentricular repair consisting of bidirectional Glenn shunt or Fontan procedure. We treated a case of severe form of Ebstein’s anomaly with ASD secundum with WPW syndrome. Radiofrequency ablation was done to treat WPW syndrome preoperatively. Celermajer’s index is a prognostic indicator for tricuspid valve repair or replacement. On 04.03.08 tricuspid valve was replaced with 31 mm Carpentier-Edwards bovine pericardial valve under cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative period was uneventful. Follow up echo done on 01.06.08 which revealed normally functioning tissue valve found in tricuspid position TR Grade I. So, in conclusion, preoperative evaluation and workout of Celermajer’s index is essential before surgical intervention for decision of tricuspid valve repair or replacement. Last but not the least, any event of arrhythmia should be properly evaluated.