Abstract

VAZQUEZ, Cecilia et al. Choledocholithiasis and pregnancy: presentation of four cases. Arch. Med Int [online]. 2010, vol.32, n.2-3, pp.27-30. ISSN 0250-3816.

Summary Introduction: The hormone changes seen during pregnancy increase the risk of the occurrence of biliary stones; however, it is rare for lithiasis to cause any symptoms or complications. Objectives: To describe the mode of onset, therapy, course and obstetric outcome of four patients that presented with choledocholithiasis during pregnancy. Patients and methods: This is a descriptive study on four pregnant patients with clinical cholestasis and abdominal ultrasounds reported as choledocholithiasis and/or dilation of the common bile duct, seen from October to November 2009 at the Gynecology Department of the Clinicas Hospital. Results: The patients’ mean age was 25 years, and the mean gestational age was 29 weeks. All the patients had a good clinical and laboratory course with the medical treatment prescribed, and only one patient required surgery. None of the patients had any complications during pregnancy and they did not experience any obstetric complications. Conclusions: Although symptomatic choledocholithiasis during pregnancy is rare, the fact that it occurs during pregnancy hinders the management of this condition, given the staff’s scarce experience with the different therapeutic options available. The study shows that conservative medical therapy is a valid choice; however, it requires a strict clinical and laboratory monitoring of the patients, as well as follow-up after childbirth, to check resolution of the ailment.

Keywords : Pregnancy; Choledocholithiasis; Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography.

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