TU-LESS procedure for acute abdomen in late pregnancy: a retrospective study

Acute abdominal conditions during pregnancy are significant risks to maternal and fetal health, necessitating timely diagnosis and intervention. The choice of surgical approach is a major concern for obstetricians.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the TU-LESS procedure for acute abdomen in late pregnancy.

We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients who underwent TU-LESS for acute abdominal conditions in the third trimester from 2020 to 2023. We reviewed medical records for clinical characteristics, surgical interventions, postoperative complications, and pregnancy outcomes.

The study included patients with a median age of 27 (range 20–35) and a BMI of 24.33 kg/m² (range 21.34–31.96). The median gestational age at surgery was 30 weeks (range, 28 + 3–32 + 4 weeks), with surgeries lasting an average of 60 min (range, 30–163 min). Blood loss was 2–20 mL, and the median hospital stay post-surgery was 6 days (range, 2–16 days). There were no significant complications. The median time to delivery after TU-LESS was 56 days (range, 26–66 days), resulting in 8 full-term deliveries, 2 preterm cesareans, and 2 preterm vaginal deliveries. All newborns were healthy, with no fetal losses or neonatal deaths.

TU-LESS, performed by experienced obstetricians and gynecologists with proper preoperative preparation, is safe and effective for managing acute abdomen in late pregnancy, without the need to delay surgery due to gestational age.