[Case report. Post cesarean section laparoscopic cholecystectomy for hydrocholecystitis]

Acute cholecystitis is the second most common surgical emergency in pregnant women. Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been described previously in these cases, there is still controversy regarding the most appropriate moment in which to perform the procedure.

To describe the clinical presentation and management of a female with 36.6 weeks of pregnancy and clinical signs of acute cholecystitis. Cesarean section to deliver a healthy newborn was immediately followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy without complications. A 10 year literature review complements the analysis and discussion of the case.

A 33 year-old female with 36.6 weeks of gestation presented a history of 24 hours with right upper quadrant and epigastric abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms were precipitated by cholecystokinetics and did not subside after expectant and pharmacologic medical treatment. The medical group decided with the patient's consent to interrupt the pregnancy via Cesarean section immediately followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

After Cesarean section through a Pfannenstiel incision, laparoscopic trocars were placed and cholecystectomy performed without complications. The postsurgical course was favorable and both patient and newborn were discharged on day four.

Laparoscopic surgery cholecystectomy during pregnancy and in the immediate puerperium is feasible and safe. These combined procedures: rapid pregnancy interruption followed by a minimal invasive approach gives the benefits of laparoscopic surgery in these patients.