Doctors in Navi Mumbai Remove 15 Bile Duct Stones from Pregnant Woman
Doctors at Medicover Hospitals in Navi Mumbai have successfully removed 15 bile duct stones from a 27-year-old woman who was 20 weeks pregnant. The medical team used an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure with minimal radiation exposure to resolve a life-threatening infection and obstructive jaundice while safeguarding the fetus.
The patient, a first-time mother identified as Manju Thakkar (name changed), was admitted to the hospital on July 25 suffering from severe abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, and jaundice. Clinical investigations revealed a high white blood cell count of 13,500 per microlitre alongside deranged liver function test results, indicating an active infection. While her viral markers returned negative, an ultrasound scan showed multiple gallbladder stones, and a subsequent MRCP confirmed multiple obstructive stones lodged in her common bile duct.
Dr. Raosaheb Rathod, a medical gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and therapeutic endoscopist at Medicover Hospitals, noted that gallbladder stone disease appears in roughly one in 1,200 pregnancies, with infection occurring in about 5 to 10 percent of these cases. The patient was immediately administered intravenous antibiotics and fluids. Because the condition cannot be cured with medication alone, removing the stones through ERCP with stone extraction and stenting was necessary to prevent complications such as liver failure, sepsis, or pancreatitis.
Performing an ERCP during pregnancy posed critical challenges because standard procedures rely heavily on fluoroscopy, which uses X-ray radiation. Dr. Rathod explained that radiation exposure during this phase of organ formation can cause severe congenital malformations, including microcephaly, eye abnormalities, and intellectual disabilities. To minimize fetal risk, the team modified their technique, fitted the patient with protective lead shielding, and strictly limited the imaging to a single, controlled X-ray shot.
Working with high precision, the specialists removed 15 obstructing stones measuring approximately 7 to 8 mm each and placed a stent inside the bile duct. The entire procedure was completed in about 15 minutes, bringing immediate relief to the patient as her abdominal pain fully subsided. She recovered without further incident and was discharged from the hospital two days later.
At a follow-up consultation seven days after the procedure, tests confirmed that the patient's complete blood count and liver function had returned to normal. Doctors advised her to avoid a fat-rich diet and instructed her to seek immediate medical attention if she experiences any recurrence of fever, abdominal pain, or jaundice.
