Southern medical journal
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In this series, nine pregnant patients had appendectomy. Seven patients had acute appendicitis; pyuria and symptoms suggesting urinary tract infection delayed diagnosis in one whose appendix perforated. Abdominal pain and nausea with or without vomiting were presenting symptoms in all of the patients. ⋯ There were five maternal deaths, all in the group of patients with perforation. Perinatal mortality was 4.8% among patients with acute inflammation only and 19.4% in those with perforative appendicitis. The diagnosis rests on clinical acumen, and prompt surgical intervention is the key to good outcome.