Can I undergo gallbladder surgery in pregnancy?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 31 weeks pregnant, and the ultrasound showed I have gallstones and pancreatitis.

My amylase test result was as high as 116. Is this an emergency or life-threatening since it is high?
Can I manage the symptoms until delivery?

I want to know the risk at 116.

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

One high amylase level cannot predict pancreatitis. However, if you have serial testing of serum amylase and that shows an upward surge, then it is a concerning thing. Additionally, abdominal pain is the hallmark of pancreatitis, not just a single blood test of amylase.

The size of gall bladder stones is an important thing to be considered before recommending the final opinion. So I want you to recheck amylase or upload the result if you have it already.

Also, please upload the ultrasound report to see the sizes of stones and ultrasonic evidence of pancreatitis or gall bladder inflammation called cholecystitis. I would be able to guide you further.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I was able to see the images of ultrasound, but all were baby images (attachment removed to protect patient identity). None of them seem focusing the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas.

You have one amylase of 116. However, lipase, which is another marker to tell whether you have pancreatitis, is normal. So I do not think that you have pancreatitis while just looking at these blood tests. The rest of your blood tests, particularly of sugars, liver function tests, are also normal. So no problem with that.

I did ask you, but you forgot to mention whether you have or had any abdominal pain? And kindly share the ultrasound report (not only images). The report will help us to clear any doubts.

I hope you find this helpful.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Your anxiety is reasonable. But to address your concern, I would need an ultrasound of the gall bladder.

The doctor who suggested surgery made an optimal decision because if this turns out to be gallstones and the size is 1 cm or above, then surgery before delivery is a wise decision. If it is left unattended, this can convert into acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gall bladder), which negatively impacts maternal and fetal (child) health.

If you do not have stones but only having pain, then there will be no need for surgery, and delivery can be safely performed.

I hope you find this helpful.

Thank you.