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. 2016 Feb;5(1):53-7.
doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2304-3881.2015.11.02.

Surgery for gallstone disease during pregnancy does not increase fetal or maternal mortality: a meta-analysis

Ruvinder Athwal  1 , Ricky Harminder Bhogal  1 , James Hodson  1 , Sean Ramcharan  1
Affiliations

Surgery for gallstone disease during pregnancy does not increase fetal or maternal mortality: a meta-analysis

Ruvinder Athwal et al. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr. 2016 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy was traditionally considered a contraindication to cholecystectomy but is now becoming the favoured option for gallstone-related disease (GRD) during pregnancy.

Methods: To assess if cholecystectomy during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm labour, fetal mortality and maternal mortality. PubMed and MEDLINE databases for the period from January 1966 through December 2013. Studies were both conservative and surgical intervention was utilised in the management of GRD were included. The results of the included studies were pooled using meta-analysis techniques.

Results: Surgical intervention for GRD in pregnancy does not increase the risk of preterm labour, fetal mortality or maternal mortality.

Conclusions: Cholecystectomy during pregnancy for GRD is associated with low complications for the fetus and mother and should be considered in all suitable patients.

Keywords: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy; fetal mortality; gallstones; pregnancy; preterm labour.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Summary of literature search.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Funnel plot of premature delivery rates in conservative and operative management for gallstone related disease.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Funnel plot of fetal mortality rates in conservative and operative management for gallstone related disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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