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DECEMBER 10, 2019

Societies Deem Surgery Safe During Any Stage of Pregnancy

Recent Study Keeps Third Trimester Controversy Alive

By Victoria Stern

The majority of pregnant women who present with gallstone disease wait to have surgery until after their delivery.

A small percentage, however, may not be able to delay surgery. About 1% to 2% of pregnant women who present with more complicated conditions, such as appendicitis or biliary disease, may require a nonobstetric surgical procedure (Ann Surg 2017;266[2]:250-256).

But is surgery during pregnancy safe?

“Whether or not to operate on a pregnant patient may still cause