title: Surgery for gallstone disease during pregnancy does not increase fetal or maternal mortality: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnancy was traditionally considered a contraindication to cholecystectomy but is now becoming the favoured option for gallstone-related disease (GRD) during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  To assess if cholecystectomy during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm labour, fetal mortality and maternal mortality. PubMed and MEDLINE databases for the period from January 1966 through December 2013. Studies were both conservative and surgical intervention was utilised in the management of GRD were included. The results of the included studies were pooled using meta-analysis techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surgical intervention for GRD in pregnancy does not increase the risk of preterm labour, fetal mortality or maternal mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cholecystectomy during pregnancy for GRD is associated with low complications for the fetus and mother and should be considered in all suitable patients.
authors.affiliation: 1 Warwick Hospital, Lakin Road, Warwick CV34 5BW, UK ; 2 University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Ruvinder
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Athwal
authors.affiliation: 1 Warwick Hospital, Lakin Road, Warwick CV34 5BW, UK ; 2 University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Ricky Harminder
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bhogal
authors.affiliation: 1 Warwick Hospital, Lakin Road, Warwick CV34 5BW, UK ; 2 University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hodson
authors.affiliation: 1 Warwick Hospital, Lakin Road, Warwick CV34 5BW, UK ; 2 University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramcharan
keywords: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy; fetal mortality; gallstones; pregnancy; preterm labour