Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and interventional endoscopy for gallstone complications during pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Symptomatic or complicated gallstone disease is the most common reason for nongynecological operations during pregnancy. Gallstones are present in 12% of all pregnancies, and more than one-third of patients fail medical treatment and therefore require surgical endoscopy or laparoscopy. Gallstone pancreatitis and jaundice during pregnancy is associated with a high recurrence rate, exposing both fetus and mother to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

Methods: During a 4-year period, all pregnant patients (n= 37) with symptomatic or complicated gallstone disease were studied prospectively at the Landeskrankenhaus in Salzburg, Austria. Five patients had an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) for biliary pancreatitis or jaundice; two of these underwent subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Another seven patients required laparoscopic cholecystectomy for severe pain or cholecystitis; all were in their 13th–32nd gestational week. Access was established by Veress needle in all cases. Insufflation pressure was 8–10 mmHg, and mean operative time was 62 min.

Results: All patients delivered full-term, healthy babies. There were no postendoscopic or postoperative complications. All patients enjoyed full relief from their symptoms; there were no recurrences of pancreatitis or jaundice.

Conclusions: The combination of ERCP and laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers a safe and effective option for the definitive treatment of complicated gallstone disease and intractable pain during pregnancy, and there is sufficient access for the combined treatment to be employed.