Laparoscopic cholecystectomy during pregnancy, experience from a University Hospital in northeast Mexico

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy during pregnancy, reporting complications and obstetric and perinatal outcomes in our institution.

Materials and Method: Retrospective, observational study. Pregnant patients with a diagnosis of biliary pathology undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. Sociodemographic, obstetric variables, complications or postoperative death were described.

Results: 46 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed, mean age 25 years; 82.6% were in the second trimester of pregnancy; showing a complication rate of 4.4% directly related to the procedure with zero maternal mortality.

Discussion: Biliary surgery is associated with a high rate of complications during pregnancy, however, there is more evidence supporting the idea of early intervention in symptomatic biliary disease, with a higher risk of fetal death under conservative management than under a laparoscopic approach, 14 as well as a higher recurrence ratecd. Surgery has been shown not to increase the risk of mortality for the mother and the fetus and its delay may result in an increase in morbidity in the short and long term.

Conclusion: We observed a low rate of complications associated with the surgical procedure, as well as no maternal mortality.