title: Endoscopic management of choledocholithiasis during pregnancy.
abstract: Extrahepatic biliary obstruction by gallstones during pregnancy is a difficult management problem. We present five patients--four with acute cholangitis and one with gallstone pancreatitis--in whom a surgical procedure was avoided by endoscopic sphincterotomy. All five women delivered healthy babies at term. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy can be performed safely in pregnancy with minimal exposure to radiation. Endoscopic management should be considered in women presenting with acute cholangitis or gallstone pancreatitis during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27703.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baillie
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Cairns
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Putman
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Cotton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013105:Sphincterotomy, Transduodenal