title: Acute pancreatitis during pregnancy, 7-year experience of a tertiary referral center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute pancreatitis is a common cause of acute abdomen in pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency at our institution and its management and outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of a database of cases presented in 7 consecutive years at a tertiary center was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between December 2002 and August 2009, there were 19 cases of acute pancreatitis in pregnant women, 85% with a biliary etiology. The highest frequency was in the third trimester of pregnancy (62.5% cases). In cases of gallstone pancreatitis, 43.6% of pregnant women had had previous episodes before pregnancy. A total of 52.6% of the patients were readmitted for a recurrent episode of pancreatitis during their pregnancy. Overall, 26.3% of the patients received antibiotic treatment and 26.3% parenteral nutrition. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed during the 2nd trimester in two patients (10.5%). There was no significant maternal morbidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acute pancreatitis in pregnant women usually has a benign course with proper treatment. In cases of biliary origin, it appears that a surgical approach is suitable during the second trimester of pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cirugía Endocrina, Bariátrica y Metabólica, European Center of Excellence (EAC-BS), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España; Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vilallonga
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Aránzazu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calero-Lillo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Hepatobiliopancreática y Trasplante Hepático, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Charco
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía Hepatobiliopancreática y Trasplante Hepático, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: joabalsells@vhebron.net.
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Balsells
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Acute pancreatitis; Cholecystectomy; Colecistectomía; Gestación; Management; Manejo; Pancreatitis aguda; Pregnancy