Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography results for the treatment of symptomatic choledocholithiasis in pregnant patients: A recent experience at a secondary care hospital in Mexico City

Abstract

IntroductionEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the treatment of choice for symptomatic choledocholithiasis during pregnancy. In pregnant patients, aside from the risks inherent in the procedure and sedation, there is the added concern of the potentially damaging effects of ionizing radiation on the fetus. AimTo describe the maternal and fetal results of ERCP performed to resolve symptomatic choledocholithiasis in pregnant patients. Materials and methodsA retrospective, descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted. It included pregnant patients with choledocholithiasis that underwent ERCP within the time frame of June 2017 and June 2018. ResultsThe study included 9 pregnant patients, with a mean gestational age of 24.1 weeks, that underwent ERCP. There were no maternal or fetal complications associated with sedation, mean fluoroscopy time was 26.7s, and one patient (11.1%) presented with mild post-ERCP pancreatitis that was resolved through medical management. Pregnancy progression was normal in 100% of the cases, resulting in the birth of neonates with a normal Apgar score, a mean weight of 3120g, a mean length of 49.94cm, and a mean gestational age of 38.37 weeks. At follow-up at 6 months, the infants had a mean weight of 7.1kg and a mean length of 66.94cm. ConclusionsThe results from our hospital center were similar to those described in the international literature, showing that ERCP in our medical environment is a feasible, safe, and efficacious method for both the mother and fetus. When performed by an experienced endoscopist, it should be considered the treatment of choice for choledocholithiasis in pregnant patients.