Surgical Diseases Presenting in Pregnancy

Surgical diseases frequently arise in gravid patients, with an estimated 1 in 500 pregnancies requiring nonobstetric surgical intervention. Evaluation and treatment generally are the same as for the nonpregnant patient, but pregnancy may mask some of the typical presenting symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis. This article highlights some of the more common surgical diseases that may present during pregnancy, including appendicitis, biliary diseases, bowel obstruction, hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, and malignancies.