THE PHOENIX INDIAN MEDICAL-CENTER EXPERIENCE WITH LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY DURING PREGNANCY

Since the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there has been conce rn about its efficacy in the pregnant patient. This article reports th e largest series to date and adds to the growing evidence that the pro cedure can be safely performed and has the potential to decrease morbi dity and mortality. At the Phoenix Indian Medical Center, we performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in eight women in the second trimester a nd one in the first trimester of pregnancy, and we attempted it in one patient in her late second trimester. Intra-abdominal pressure was ma intained at or below 15 mm Hg. Subsequently, all 10 patients had term vaginal deliveries. In the pregnant patient, laparoscopic cholecystect omy appears to be safe with no morbidity or mortality seen in this ser ies. Early mobilization has the potential to decrease postoperative co mplications and shorten hospital stay.