Operative management of acute cholecystitis in pregnancy: Case report

Abstract

Introduction: Acute cholecystitis is the second most common non-obstetric surgical disease during pregnancy. There have been several trials comparing operative and non-operative management in the past. Purpose: To present a clinical case from our practice and to compare clinical management with worldwide standards. Materials and methods: A 42-year-old patient in the 20th gestational week presented to our department with complaints of pain in the epigastrium and RUQ, as well as a single incidence of vomiting, during the last two days. Results: We operated 15 h after admission and did a standard laparoscopy. The patient was discharged on the 4th postoperative day. Conclusion: A review of the available literature shows the prevalence of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy, while non-operative management has proven to have higher complication rates. Laparoscopic surgery in pregnancy has proven to be safe for both mother and fetus. In our case, the patient was operated on within the first 24 hours of admission. We did not observe any complications during her stay and follow-up.