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Ursodeoxycholic Acid in the Prevention of Gallstone Formation After Bariatric Surgery: an Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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Abstract

We aim to review the available literature on obese patients treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in order to prevent gallstone formation after bariatric surgery. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane library, and Scopus databases, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria incorporating 1355 patients. Random-effects meta-analysis showed a lower incidence of gallstone formation in patients taking UDCA. Subgroup analysis reported fewer cases of gallstone disease in the UDCA group in relation to different bariatric procedures, doses of administered UDCA, and time from bariatric surgery. Adverse events were similar in both groups. Fewer patients required cholecystectomy in UDCA group. No deaths were reported. The administration of UDCA after bariatric surgery seems to prevent gallstone formation.

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Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Viopolis, 411 10, Larissa, Greece

    Dimitrios E. Magouliotis, Eleni Sioka & Dimitris Zacharoulis

  2. Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly Viopolis Larissa Greece, Viopolis, Larissa, Greece

    Vasiliki S. Tasiopoulou

  3. Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News, VA, USA

    Alexis A. Svokos

  4. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Konstantina A. Svokos

  5. Department of Microbiology, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece

    Christina Chatedaki

Authors
  1. Dimitrios E. Magouliotis
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  2. Vasiliki S. Tasiopoulou
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  3. Alexis A. Svokos
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  4. Konstantina A. Svokos
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  5. Christina Chatedaki
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  6. Eleni Sioka
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  7. Dimitris Zacharoulis
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Correspondence to Dimitrios E. Magouliotis.

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Magouliotis, D.E., Tasiopoulou, V.S., Svokos, A.A. et al. Ursodeoxycholic Acid in the Prevention of Gallstone Formation After Bariatric Surgery: an Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. OBES SURG 27, 3021–3030 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2924-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2924-y

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