Work

Ursodeoxycholic Acid for the Prevention of Relapse of Pregnancy-Related Acute Gallstone Pancreatitis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Acute gallstones pancreatitis has an increased incidence after pregnancy. Gallstones may spontaneously disappear after delivery; cholecystectomy during pregnancy is challenging whereas ursodeoxycholic acid is safe during the last 6 months of pregnancy and effective in dissolving small gallstones. Based on these considerations, prevention of recurrent acute pancreatitis during and after pregnancy is unclear. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2015, we treated women with acute pancreatitis related to small gallstones (< 1 cm in diameter) during pregnancy or within the first post-partum year, who refused surgery, using ursodeoxycholic acid until stones dissolution. Patients were followed for 79.5 + 9.35 months (mean + SD) with seiate clinical and ultrasonographic control. RESULTS: ursodeoxycholic acid was effective in dissolving small stones in 13/14 women in 7.77 + 3.14 months (mean + SD). Only 2 patients experienced recurrent acute pancreatitis (at 1 and 88 months after the first episode). DISCUSSION: ursodeoxycholic acid may be used during pregnancy to postpone surgery. After delivery, medical treatment should be reserved only for women, refusing cholecystectomy with seriate ultrasonographic control to exclude gallstones recurrence.

Source: Journal of Clinical Medicine

DOI: 10.3390/jcm15072580

Authors: Alberto Maringhini, Rosalia Patti, Marco Maringhini, Jacopo Maringhini

Institutions: La Maddalena, University of Palermo

Language: English

Topic: Gallbladder and Bile Duct Disorders

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137