Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy during pregnancy

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Abstract

Background/aim
Symptomatic biliary diseases in pregnant women remain a great challenge to surgeons. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) during pregnancy.
Patients and methods
This prospective, observational study was conducted on 27 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.3±4.1 (range 21–36) years who presented with symptomatic gallbladder diseases (stones or cholecystitis) and underwent LC. Gestational age, operative time, and maternal and fetal outcomes were noted.
Results
The mean operative time was 58.7 (range 32–78.5) min. Conversion to open cholecystectomy occurred only in one patient with acute cholecystitis due to the presence of severe adhesions (3.7%). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed, except for mild wound infection in only one patient (3.7%) and mild uterine contractions in two patients (7.4%). All patients went on to deliver at full term with no abortion or preterm labor.
Conclusion
Pregnant women with repeated attacks of biliary colic and/or cholecystitis after failure of conservative treatment can undergo LC easily and safely without hazardous effects on either mothers or fetuses, especially in the second trimester.

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Journal of the Arab Society for Medical Research
Volume 11, Issue 1
January 2016
Pages 9-13

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