Symptoms of oesophageal reflux are more common following laparoscopic cholecystectomy than in a control population

Cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus

Background

Cholelithiasis or cholecystectomy may contribute to the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus (BE), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) through bile reflux; however, current observational studies yield inconsistent findings. We utilized a novel approach combining meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, to assess the association between them.

Methods

The literature search was done using PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, up to 3 November 2023. A meta-analysis of observational studies assessing the correlations between cholelithiasis or cholecystectomy, and the risk factors for GERD, BE, and EACwas conducted. In addition, the MR analysis was employed to assess the causative impact of genetic pre-disposition for cholelithiasis or cholecystectomy on these esophageal diseases.

Results

The results of the meta-analysis indicated that cholelithiasis was significantly linked to an elevated risk in the incidence of BE (RR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.37-2.29; p < 0.001) and cholecystectomy was a risk factor for GERD (RR, 1.37; 95%CI, 1.09-1.72; p = 0.008). We observed significant genetic associations between cholelithiasis and both GERD (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.10; p < 0.001) and BE (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.11-1.32; p < 0.001), and a correlation between cholecystectomy and both GERD (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06; p < 0.001) and BE (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06-1.19; p < 0.001). After adjusting for common risk factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and BMI in multivariate analysis, the risk of GERD and BE still persisted.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that both cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy elevate the risk of GERD and BE. However, there is no observed increase in the risk of EAC, despite GERD and BE being the primary pathophysiological pathways leading to EAC. Therefore, patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy should be vigilant regarding esophageal symptoms; however, invasive EAC cytology may not be necessary.

Reconsideration of indications for choledochoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery and preventive measures for postoperative recurrence of gallstones

Introduction

The recurrence of cholecystolithiasis after choledochoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery is a major problem. It is unclear whether the recurrence of cholecystolithiasis is due to the limitations of the operation itself or to the selection of inappropriate candidates.

Aim

To analyze the recurrence of cholecystolithiasis after choledochoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery and to provide guidance for the treatment of cholecystolithiasis by choledochoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery.

Material and methods

A total of 145 patients who had undergone choledochoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery were studied from January 2012 to January 2018. The recurrence rate, recurrence time, and risk factors were evaluated.

Results

Of these 145 patients, 14 (9.66%) experienced recurrence with a mean follow-up time of 39.72 ±24.44 months. The mean time to recurrence was 30.07 ±21.21 months. Univariate analysis showed that pregnancy history (p = 0.008), the uniformity of gallstones (p = 0.002), preoperative inflammation (p = 0.022), postoperative oral drugs (p = 0.022) and the regularity of diet (p = 0.001) were significantly related to recurrence. The uniformity of gallstones (odds ratio (OR) = 0.079; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.010–0.590; p = 0.013) and the regularity of diet (OR = 0.074; 95% CI: 0.010–0.528; p = 0.009) were independent prognostic factors for recurrence according to multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Nonuniform gallstones combined with an irregular diet are significant risk factors that predict cholecystolithiasis recurrence.

Does Cholecystectomy Increase the Esophageal Alkaline Reflux? Evaluation by Impedance-pH Technique

Background/Aims

The aim of this study is to investigate the reflux patterns in patients with galbladder stone and the change of reflux patterns after cholecystectomy in such patients.

Methods

Fourteen patients with cholecystolithiasis and a control group including 10 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this prospective study. Demographical findings, reflux symptom score scale and 24-hour impedance pH values of the 14 cholecystolithiasis cases and the control group were evaluated. The impedance pH study was repeated 3 months after cholecystectomy.

Results

Age, gender, and BMI were not different between the two groups. Total and supine weakly alkaline reflux time (%) (1.0 vs 22.5, P = 0.028; 201.85 vs 9.65, P = 0.012), the longest episodes of total, upright and supine weakly alkaline reflux mediums (11 vs 2, P = 0.025; 8.5 vs 1.0, P = 0.035; 3 vs 0, P = 0.027), total and supine weakly alkaline reflux time in minutes (287.35 vs 75.10, P = 0.022; 62.5 vs 1.4, P = 0.017), the number of alkaline reflux episodes (162.5 vs 72.5, P = 0.022) were decreased with statistical significance. No statistically significant difference was found in the comparison of symptoms between the subjects in the control group and the patients with cholecystolithiasis, in preoperative, postoperative and postcholecystectomy status.

Conclusions

Significant reflux symptoms did not occur after cholecystectomy. Post cholecystectomy weakly alkaline reflux was decreased, but it was determined that acid reflux increased after cholecystectomy by impedance pH-metry in the study group.

The association between cholecystectomy and gastroesophageal reflux symptoms: a prospective controlled study

OBJECTIVE

A large controlled prospective observational study to compare pre- and postsurgery changes in reflux symptoms between cholecystectomy and hernia repair surgery patients.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Six studies have suggested that gastroesophageal reflux worsens after cholecystectomy. However, all these studies had design limitations.

METHODS

We recruited 302 patients scheduled to undergo elective cholecystectomy (study group) or hernia repair (controls) at 2 hospitals. Both groups filled out the validated Reflux Symptom Score (RSS) and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaires 1 to 15 days prior to and 4 to 12 weeks after the operation. Changes in symptom scores between the pre and postsurgery assessments were measured, and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

Baseline RSS and GSRS reflux subscores were higher in the study group than controls (1.44 vs. 1.02 and 1.91 vs. 1.43, respectively; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in any of the symptom score changes between the 2 groups except for the GSRS pain subscore, which decreased more in the study group than the control group (-0.59 vs. -0.10; P < 0.001). With regard to reflux, the RSS decreased by -0.34 in the study group and -0.14 in controls (P = 0.27), while the GSRS reflux subscore decreased by -0.32 in the study group and -0.05 in controls (P = 0.12). GSRS diarrhea and constipation subscores decreased slightly after surgery, to the same extent in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This large prospective controlled study, the only one using validated reflux symptom questionnaires, shows that cholecystectomy does not lead to an increase in reflux symptoms. As expected, GSRS pain subscores were decreased in the cholecystectomy group but not the controls.

Outcome of gallbladder preservation in surgical management of primary bile duct stones

AIM: To evaluate the methods and outcome of gallbladder preservation in surgical treatment of primary bile duct stones.

METHODS: Thirty-five patients with primary bile duct stones and intact gallbladders received stone extraction by two operative approaches, 23 done through the intrahepatic duct stump (RBD-IDS, the RBD-IDS group) after partial hepatectomy and 12 through the hepatic parenchyma by retrograde puncture (RBD-RP, the RBD-RP group). The gallbladders were preserved and the common bile duct (CBD) incisions were primarily closed. The patients were examined postoperatively by direct cholangiography and followed up by ultrasonography once every six months.

RESULTS: In the RBD-IDS group, residual bile duct stones were found in three patients, which were cleared by a combination of fibrocholedochoscopic extraction and lithotripsy through the drainage tracts. The tubes were removed on postoperative day 22 (range: 16-42 days). In the RBD-RP group, one patient developed hemobilia and was cured by conservative therapy. The tubes were removed on postoperative day 8 (range: 7-11 days). Postoperative cholangiography showed that all the gallbladders were well opacified, contractile and smooth. During 54 (range: 6-120 months) months of follow-up, six patients had mildly thickened cholecystic walls without related symptoms and further changes, two underwent laparotomies because of adhesive intestinal obstruction and gastric cancer respectively, three died of cardiopulmonary diseases. No stones were found in all the preserved gallbladders.

CONCLUSION: The intact gallbladders preserved after surgical extraction of primary bile duct stones will not develop gallstones. Retrograde biliary drainage is an optimal approach for gallbladder preservation.