Gallstones in pregnancy and their complications: Postpartum acute pancreatitis and acute peritonitis

Arnon Blum, Imad Tatour, Merei Monir, Khalid Khazim, Claudia Simsolo

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pregnancy is associated with a heightened risk of gallstone formation because of increased bile lithogenicity as a result of a decline in the bile salt pool and elevations in serum and biliary cholesterol levels. Increased bile stasis caused by impaired gallbladder emptying is also thought to be a contributing factor. In the case of mildly symptomatic gallstones, conservative management is recommended. It is now agreed that aggressive endoscopic intervention for biliary disorders in pregnancy and in the postpartum period appears to decrease morbidity, mortality, and costs. Endoscopy offers a safer, more effective treatment alternative to prolonged medical management and traditional surgical intervention during pregnancy and in the postpartum period.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)473-476
Number of pages4
JournalEuropean Journal of Internal Medicine
Volume16
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2005
Externally publishedYes

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