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The Influence of Gallbladder Function on the Symptomatology in Gallstone Patients, and the Outcome after Cholecystectomy or Expectancy

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether gallbladder function as assessed by a hepatobiliary scintigraphy was related to the symptomatology in gallstone patients and to the outcome 1 year after either cholecystectomy or watchful waiting. The study included 100 patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease. Fifty-six patients had a functioning gallbladder and 44 had a nonfunctioning gallbladder. Patients with a nonfunctioning gallbladder had significantly more vomiting and received more pain-killing injections during pain attacks. Otherwise, there were no differences in pain patterns or characteristics of dyspeptic symptoms in relation to gallbladder function. In patients with a functioning gallbladder, there were no significant differences between the group of patients with impaired and normal gallbladder function. Cholecystectomy was performed in 69 patients and at the 1-year follow-up; 22% continued to have pain attacks, but this was not related to the gallbladder function preoperatively. In 31 patients without cholecystectomy, 14 patients became asymptomatic within a 1-year follow-up. However, this was not related to gallbladder function. In conclusion, gallbladder function evaluated by a hepatobiliary scintigraphy was not related to the symptoms in gallstone patients, and was not related to the occurrence of symptoms after cholecystectomy or watchful waiting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Finsens Allé 22, Odense M, 5230, Denmark

    Thomas Kjærgaard Larsen & Niels Qvist

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  1. Thomas Kjærgaard Larsen
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  2. Niels Qvist
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Correspondence to Thomas Kjærgaard Larsen.

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Larsen, T.K., Qvist, N. The Influence of Gallbladder Function on the Symptomatology in Gallstone Patients, and the Outcome after Cholecystectomy or Expectancy. Dig Dis Sci 52, 760–763 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9498-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-006-9498-1

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