Non-obstetric Emergency Surgery in the Pregnant Patient

Pregnant patients are often a fear-inducing population for the general surgeon. These patients present a unique and sometimes difficult challenge, representing one of the few situations in surgery where decisions have the potential to directly affect two lives. Despite this, little emphasis seems to be placed on teaching general surgeons specific considerations about this population. Though there are actually “two patients,” the well-being of the mother always takes precedence over that of the fetus, since in emergent situations especially, the optimal management of the condition of the fetus is appropriate resuscitation, diagnosis, and management of the mother. There are many important anatomic and physiologic changes to consider in the pregnant patient, and these changes effect practically every organ system. These changes must be considered whether pregnant mothers present with emergency general surgical conditions or injuries, as they carry the need for specific considerations in both the evaluation and treatment of these patients.