Disease of the gallbladder and pancreas in pregnancy

Although maternal mortality and morbidity are substantially lower today than decades ago, perinatal mortality and morbidity secondary to gallbladder and pancreatic disease remain excessive. Improvements in perinatal mortality reflect improvements in neonatal intensive care because most of the morbidity stems from prematurity. Prompt recognition of cholelithiasis and pancreatitis and liberal hospitalization have been associated with a decline in poor outcomes. The decision to switch from medical to surgical management must be made individually, taking into account past history, gestational age, and the response of current disease to conservative therapy.