Non-Obstetric Surgery During Pregnancy

As minimally invasive surgical techniques evolve, the outlook for patients continues to brighten. This is also true for pregnant women experiencing conditions requiring surgical intervention during gestation. A physician’s ability to identify potential risk factors in pregnant patients that present pre-op directly corresponds with their success in monitoring patients in post-op for adverse obstetric outcomes from non-obstetric surgeries. The utilization of laparoscopic techniques during surgery for pregnant patients has decreased the risk of fetal complications and increased the positive outlook for the duration of the pregnancy.

This text is designed to present a minimally invasive approach to surgery that is non-obstetrics related and to educate readers on the potential risk factors and negative outcomes on pregnant patients following non-obstetric surgery. The various sections of this book will address issues faced by surgeons who undertake the task of operating on the pregnant patient. When performing non-obstetric surgery on a pregnant patient the ability to identify possible risk factors for adverse obstetric outcomes is important. Risk factors can be maternal-, surgical-, obstetrical-, or disease-associated. Common adverse obstetric outcomes following non-obstetric surgery include preterm delivery, preterm labor without preterm delivery, and miscarriage. Fetal well-being is an additional risk-benefit factor to be considered when weighing options before conducting non-obstetric surgeries on pregnant patients. This book will provide physicians with the knowledge and tools to identify common risk factors and successfully apply evidence-based risk reduction.

 To date, no comprehensive resource is available for non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy.  Types of pregnancies, potential complications, proper use of anesthesia, types of risk factors (maternal-, surgical-, obstetrical-, and disease-associated), etc. will be thoroughly explained and depicted within these pages.  All chapters will be written by subject matter experts in their fields.  All information communicated will be comprised of the most currently available knowledge

Ceana H. Nezhat, MD, FACS, FACOG
Fellowship Director, Nezhat Medical Center
Medical Director of Training and Education
Northside Hospital, Atlanta Georgia
Adjunct Professor of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University
Immediate Past President, Society of Reproductive Surgeons
Past President, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists

Michael S. Kavic, MD
Professor Emeritus of Surgery
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Editor-in-Chief, JSLS and CRSLS

Raymond J. Lanzafame, MD, MBA, FACS
Research Associate Professor, State University of New York at Buffalo
School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo
Executive Director and Scientific Chair,
Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons

Michael K. Lindsay MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Division of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Emory University School of Medicine
Director Division Maternal Fetal Medicine &
Chief of Service for Gynecology & Obstetrics
Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta Georgia

Travis M. Polk, MD, FACS    
Assistant Professor of Surgery
LAC+USC Medical Center, University of Southern California
Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care