LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IN PREGNANCY

It has been stated that pregnancy is an absolute contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After failed medical management, five gravid patients underwent successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy with single-film intraoperative cholangiography. One patient was in the first trimester, three were in the second trimester, and one was in the third trimester. All carried the pregnancy to term and delivered normal children. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed during pregnancy and offers the potential of significant cost savings compared with traditional medical management of cholecystitis complicating pregnancy.