Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
Laparoscopic Anterior Right Hepatectomy: A Single-Center Experience
Published on: December 4, 2023
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy during pregnancy: A five-year single-centre experience
Mubashir A Shah1, Bilal A Wagay, Syed Mohsin Aijaz
1Department of General and Minimal Access Surgery, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Introduction:
Symptomatic gallstone disease is amongst the most common non-obstetric surgical conditions encountered during pregnancy. Historically, conservative management was favoured due to concerns regarding foetal safety during anaesthesia and laparoscopy. However, advances in minimally invasive surgery, anaesthetic techniques, and perioperative monitoring have led to increasing acceptance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) as a safe and effective treatment option during pregnancy. To evaluate perioperative outcomes, operative feasibility and maternal-fetal safety in pregnant patients undergoing LC in a tertiary care centre.
Patients And Methods:
A hybrid retrospective-prospective observational study was conducted, including pregnant patients who underwent LC between January 2021 and December 2025. The study comprised a retrospective analysis (2021-2023) and a prospective cohort (2024-2025). Data collected included demographic characteristics, gestational age, surgical indication, operative details, maternal complications and neonatal outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis.
Results:
Thirteen pregnant patients underwent LC during the study period. The mean maternal age was 28.5 ± 4.2 years, and the mean gestational age at surgery was 18.5 ± 3.1 weeks (range 14-28 weeks). Ten procedures were performed during the second trimester and three during the third trimester. All surgeries were completed laparoscopically without conversion to open surgery. Mean operative time was 45 min (range 35-65 min). One patient developed transient post-operative uterine contractions, which resolved with tocolytic therapy. No foetal distress, congenital anomalies or maternal surgical complications were observed.
Conclusion:
LC during pregnancy is a safe and feasible procedure when performed with multidisciplinary planning, pregnancy-specific technical modifications and appropriate foetal monitoring. Our findings support the growing body of evidence that minimally invasive surgery can be safely performed in selected pregnant patients requiring definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstone disease.
