# The Outcome of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Pregnant Women

## TL;DR

This study shows that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective treatment for gallbladder issues in pregnant women, especially during the second trimester.

## Contribution

The study provides evidence on the safety and outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy specifically in pregnant women.

## Key findings

- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy had low intraoperative and postoperative complication rates in pregnant women.
- Most deliveries were full-term with favorable neonatal outcomes.
- Postoperative pain was the most common complication, but fetal distress and preterm labor were rare.

## Abstract

Objective: This study aims to critically evaluate the safety, feasibility, and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in pregnant women.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted, reviewing the medical records of 56 pregnant women who underwent LC for gallbladder stones at Prime Hospital, UAE, between January 2015 and December 2023. The inclusion criteria included pregnant women aged 18-42 years who underwent LC for acute or chronic cholecystitis, biliary colic, or in the immediate postpartum period. Exclusion criteria encompassed non-surgical cases and incomplete records. Diagnoses were based on clinical and imaging findings, and all surgeries adhered to a strict protocol to minimize preterm delivery risks. Data on demographics, operative details, and outcomes were analyzed using SPSS (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

Results: Among the 56 cases of LC, the participants had a mean age of 32.5 years and an average body mass index (BMI) of 28.4 kg/m², with a mean gestational age of 22.7 weeks. The majority of participants were multiparous (34, 60.7%). Comorbid conditions such as diabetes and hypertension were observed in 12 (21.4%) and 8 (14.3%) cases, respectively. The primary surgical indications included symptomatic cholelithiasis (30, 53.6%) and cholecystitis (20, 35.7%). Intraoperative complications were rare, with minimal bleeding (3, 5.4%) and a low conversion rate to open surgery (2, 3.6%). Postoperative pain was the most common complication (40, 71.4%). Obstetric outcomes included preterm labor (4, 7.1%) and fetal distress (3, 5.4%), though neonatal outcomes were favorable, with high APGAR scores and no fetal deaths reported.

Conclusions: LC in pregnant women is a safe and feasible procedure characterized by low rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Postoperative pain was the most frequently observed issue. The majority of deliveries were full-term, with favorable neonatal outcomes. These findings support LC as a viable treatment for gallbladder disease during pregnancy, mainly when performed in the second trimester.