Diagnosis, Treatment, And Use Of Laparoscopy For Surgical Problems During Pregnancy

Ultrasound imaging during pregnancy is safe and effective in identifying the etiology of acute abdominal pain in many patients and should be the initial imaging test of choice. (Moderate, Strong)

Ionizing radiation exposure to the fetus increases the risk of teratogenesis and childhood leukemia. Cumulative radiation dosage should be limited to 50-100 mGy during pregnancy. (Moderate, Strong)

Abdominal CT scan may be used in emergency situations during pregnancy. CT scan should not be the initial imaging test of choice. (Low, Weak)

MR Imaging without the use of intravenous Gadolinium can be performed at any stage of pregnancy. MRI is preferred over CT scan for diagnosis of non-obstetric abdominal pain in the gravid patient. (Low, Strong)

Administration of radionucleotides for diagnostic studies is safe for mother and fetus. (Low, Weak)

Intraoperative and endoscopic cholangiography exposes the mother and fetus to minimal radiation and may be used selectively during pregnancy. The lower abdomen should be shielded when performing cholangiography during pregnancy to decrease the radiation exposure to the fetus. (Low, Weak)

In the absence of access to imaging modalities, laparoscopy may be used selectively in the workup and treatment of acute abdominal processes in pregnancy. (Low, Weak)