A 24-year controlled follow-up of patients with silent gallstones showed no long-term risk of symptoms or adverse events leading to cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus conservative management for adults with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones: the C-GALL RCT

Background

Gallstone disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder in industrialised societies. The prevalence of gallstones in the adult population is estimated to be approximately 10-15%, and around 80% remain asymptomatic. At present, cholecystectomy is the default option for people with symptomatic gallstone disease.

Objectives

To assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of observation/conservative management compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy for preventing recurrent symptoms and complications in adults presenting with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones in secondary care.

Design

Parallel group, multicentre patient randomised superiority pragmatic trial with up to 24 months follow-up and embedded qualitative research. Within-trial cost-utility and 10-year Markov model analyses. Development of a core outcome set for uncomplicated symptomatic gallstone disease.

Setting

Secondary care elective settings.

Participants

Adults with symptomatic uncomplicated gallstone disease referred to a secondary care setting were considered for inclusion.

Interventions

Participants were randomised 1: 1 at clinic to receive either laparoscopic cholecystectomy or observation/conservative management.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was quality of life measured by area under the curve over 18 months using the Short Form-36 bodily pain domain. Secondary outcomes included the Otago gallstones' condition-specific questionnaire, Short Form-36 domains (excluding bodily pain), area under the curve over 24 months for Short Form-36 bodily pain domain, persistent symptoms, complications and need for further treatment. No outcomes were blinded to allocation.

Results

Between August 2016 and November 2019, 434 participants were randomised (217 in each group) from 20 United Kingdom centres. By 24 months, 64 (29.5%) in the observation/conservative management group and 153 (70.5%) in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group had received surgery, median time to surgery of 9.0 months (interquartile range, 5.6-15.0) and 4.7 months (interquartile range 2.6-7.9), respectively. At 18 months, the mean Short Form-36 norm-based bodily pain score was 49.4 (standard deviation 11.7) in the observation/conservative management group and 50.4 (standard deviation 11.6) in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. The mean area under the curve over 18 months was 46.8 for both groups with no difference: mean difference -0.0, 95% confidence interval (-1.7 to 1.7); p-value 0.996; n = 203 observation/conservative, n = 205 cholecystectomy. There was no evidence of differences in quality of life, complications or need for further treatment at up to 24 months follow-up. Condition-specific quality of life at 24 months favoured cholecystectomy: mean difference 9.0, 95% confidence interval (4.1 to 14.0), p < 0.001 with a similar pattern for the persistent symptoms score. Within-trial cost-utility analysis found observation/conservative management over 24 months was less costly than cholecystectomy (mean difference -£1033). A non-significant quality-adjusted life-year difference of -0.019 favouring cholecystectomy resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £55,235. The Markov model continued to favour observation/conservative management, but some scenarios reversed the findings due to uncertainties in longer-term quality of life. The core outcome set included 11 critically important outcomes from both patients and healthcare professionals.

Conclusions

The results suggested that in the short term (up to 24 months) observation/conservative management may be a cost-effective use of National Health Service resources in selected patients, but subsequent surgeries in the randomised groups and differences in quality of life beyond 24 months could reverse this finding. Future research should focus on longer-term follow-up data and identification of the cohort of patients that should be routinely offered surgery.

Trial registration

This trial is registered as ISRCTN55215960.

Funding

This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 14/192/71) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 28, No. 26. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.

Obesity is associated with biliary tract cancer mortality and incidence: A pooled analysis of 21 cohort studies in the Asia Cohort Consortium

Body fatness is considered a probable risk factor for biliary tract cancer (BTC), whereas cholelithiasis is an established factor. Nevertheless, although obesity is an established risk factor for cholelithiasis, previous studies of the association of body mass index (BMI) and BTC did not take the effect of cholelithiasis fully into account. To better understand the effect of BMI on BTC, we conducted a pooled analysis using population-based cohort studies in Asians. In total, 905 530 subjects from 21 cohort studies participating in the Asia Cohort Consortium were included. BMI was categorized into four groups: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2 ); normal (18.5-22.9 kg/m2 ); overweight (23-24.9 kg/m2 ); and obese (25+ kg/m2 ). The association between BMI and BTC incidence and mortality was assessed using hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by Cox regression models with shared frailty. Mediation analysis was used to decompose the association into a direct and an indirect (mediated) effect. Compared to normal BMI, high BMI was associated with BTC mortality (HR 1.19 [CI 1.02-1.38] for males, HR 1.30 [1.14-1.49] for females). Cholelithiasis had significant interaction with BMI on BTC risk. BMI was associated with BTC risk directly and through cholelithiasis in females, whereas the association was unclear in males. When cholelithiasis was present, BMI was not associated with BTC death in either males or females. BMI was associated with BTC death among females without cholelithiasis. This study suggests BMI is associated with BTC mortality in Asians. Cholelithiasis appears to contribute to the association; and moreover, obesity appears to increase BTC risk without cholelithiasis.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated gallstone disease: expecting more from critical care manifestations

About 20% of adults worldwide have gallstones which are solid conglomerates in the biliary tree made of cholesterol monohydrate crystals, mucin, calcium bilirubinate, and protein aggregates. About 20% of gallstone patients will definitively develop gallstone disease, a condition which consists of gallstone-related symptoms and/or complications requiring medical therapy, endoscopic procedures, and/or cholecystectomy. Gallstones represent one of the most prevalent digestive disorders in Western countries and patients with gallstone disease are one of the largest categories admitted to European hospitals. About 80% of gallstones in Western countries are made of cholesterol due to disturbed cholesterol homeostasis which involves the liver, the gallbladder and the intestine on a genetic background. The incidence of cholesterol gallstones is dramatically increasing in parallel with the global epidemic of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, expansion of visceral adiposity, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. In this context, gallstones can be largely considered a metabolic dysfunction-associated gallstone disease, a condition prone to specific and systemic preventive measures. In this review we discuss the key pathogenic and clinical aspects of gallstones, as the main clinical consequences of metabolic dysfunction-associated disease.

The Natural History of Asymptomatic Gallstones: A Longitudinal Study and Prediction Model

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Despite the high prevalence of asymptomatic gallstones (AGs), there are limited data on their natural history. We aimed to determine the rate of symptom development in a contemporary population, determine factors associated with progression to symptomatic gallstones (SGs), and develop a clinical prediction model.

METHODS

We used a retrospective cohort design. The time to first SG was shown using Kaplan-Meier curves. Multivariable competing risk (death) regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with SGs. A prediction model for the development of SGs after 10 years was generated and calibration curves were plotted. Participants were patients with AGs based on ultrasound or computed tomography from the general medical population.

RESULTS

From 1996 to 2016, 22,257 patients (51% female) with AGs were identified; 14.5% developed SG with a median follow-up period of 4.6 years. The cumulative incidence was 10.1% (±0.22%) at 5 years, 21.5% (±0.39%) at 10 years, and 32.6% (±0.83%) at 15 years. In a multivariable model, the strongest predictors of developing SGs were female gender (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50; 95% CI, 1.39-1.61), younger age (HR per 5 years, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.14-1.16), multiple stones (HR, 2.42; 95% CI, 2.25-2.61), gallbladder polyps (HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 2.14-3.05), large stones (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.80-2.29), and chronic hemolytic anemia (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.33-2.72). The model showed good discrimination (C-statistic, 0.70) and calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

In general medical patients with AGs, symptoms developed at approximately 2% per year. A predictive model with good calibration could be used to inform patients of their risk of SGs.

Analysis of the Management of Cholelithiasis in Bariatric Surgery Patients: a Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE

Cholelithiasis is an issue in bariatric surgery patients. The incidence of cholelithiasis is increased in morbidly obese patients. After bariatric surgery, the management maybe sometimes challenging. There is no consensus about how to deal with cholelithiasis prior to bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review from our prospectively collected bariatric surgery database. Primary bariatric procedures from 2009 to 2020 were included. Prevalence of cholelithiasis and its management prior to bariatric surgery and the incidence and management of postoperative biliary events were analyzed.

RESULTS

Over 1445 patients analyzed, preoperatively cholelithiasis was found in 153 (10.58%), and 68 out of them (44.44%) were symptomatic. Seventy-six patients had a concomitant cholecystectomy. In those cases, the bariatric procedure did not show increased operative time, length of stay, morbidity, or mortality compared to the rest of primary bariatric procedures. Twelve patients (15.58%) with previous cholelithiasis and no concomitant cholecystectomy presented any kind of biliary event and required cholecystectomy. De novo cholelithiasis rate requiring cholecystectomy was 3.86%. Postoperative biliary events both in de novo and persistent cholelithiasis population did not show any difference between the type of surgery, weight loss, and other characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Cholelithiasis was present in 10.58% of our primary bariatric surgery population. Concomitant cholecystectomy was safe in our series. Non-surgical management of asymptomatic cholelithiasis did not lead to a higher risk of postoperative biliary events. The global postoperative cholecystectomy rate was equivalent to the general population.

Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis in Children: Management Dilemma

Aims and Objectives:

The incidence of cholelithiasis is now increasing in children. Besides hemolytic diseases, there are also nonhemolytic conditions and idiopathic group. A large number of children belong to asymptomatic group who do not present with gallstone-related symptoms. There is no consensus in the management of these children. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of elective cholecystectomy in asymptomatic cases to prevent complications which leads to more morbidity.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and seventy-eight children were treated over a period of 12 years and they were divided into two groups according to their age at presentation. Sixty-four children below 5 years belonged to Group A and 114 children between 5 and 12 years belonged to Group B. About 71.8% of children of Group A and 49.1% of children of Group B were asymptomatic. Cholecystectomy was advised in all cases of Group B and all symptomatic cases of Group A. In Group A asymptomatic cases, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was given for 6–12 months and followed up.

Results:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in all cases except in five cases where conversion to open surgery was done as there was gross adhesions due to previous laparotomy. Of 46 asymptomatic cases of Group A, the stone disappeared in seven cases, 12 children developed symptoms, and there was no change in 27 patients. Stone reappeared again in three of seven children who were managed by cholecystectomy. Cholecystectomy was also performed in 12 cases that developed symptoms. In the rest of the 27 children, cholecystectomy was advised after 1 year trial of UDCA. Cholecystectomy was advised in both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases of Group B. Sixteen of 56 asymptomatic cases did not agree for cholecystectomy and 12 of them returned with complications. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography (ERCP) and stone extraction was performed in four cases. In all the acute cases, cholecystectomy was performed after a period of conservative management.

Conclusion:

UDCA can be tried in the smaller age group below 5 years, but there is a chance of recurrent stone formation. Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be the choice in all asymptomatic cases to prevent complications.

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial comparing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with observation/conservative management for preventing recurrent symptoms and complications in adults with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones (C-Gall trial)

BACKGROUND

Gallstone disease (cholelithiasis) is common. In most people it is asymptomatic and does not require treatment, but in about 20% it can become symptomatic, causing pain and other complications requiring medical attention and/or surgery. A proportion of symptomatic people with uncomplicated gallstone disease do not experience further episodes of pain and, therefore, could be treated conservatively. Moreover, surgery carries risks of perioperative and postoperative complications.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

C-Gall is a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation to assess whether cholecystectomy is cost-effective compared with observation/ conservative management (here after referred to as medical management) at 18 months post-randomisation (with internal pilot).

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

Patient-reported quality of life (QoL) (36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) bodily pain domain) up to 18 months after randomisation.The primary economic outcome is incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained at 18 months.

SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Secondary outcome measures include condition-specific QoL, SF-36 domains, complications, further treatment, persistent symptoms, healthcare resource use, and costs assessed at 18 and 24 months after randomisation. The bodily pain domain of the SF-36 will also be assessed at 24 months after randomisation.A sample size of 430 participants was calculated. Computer-generated 1:1 randomisation was used.The C-Gall Study is currently in follow-up in 20 UK research centres. The first patient was randomised on 1 August 2016, with follow-up to be completed by 30 November 2021.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Statistical analysis of the primary outcome will be intention-to-treat and a per-protocol analysis. The primary outcome, area under the curve (AUC) for the SF-36 bodily pain up to 18 months, will be generated using the Trapezium rule and analysed using linear regression with adjustment for the minimisation variables (recruitment site, sex and age). For the secondary outcome, SF-36 bodily pain, AUC up to 24 months will be analysed in a similar way. Other secondary outcomes will be analysed using generalised linear models with adjustment for minimisation and baseline variables, as appropriate. Statistical significance will be at the two-sided 5% level with corresponding CIs.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee approved this study (16/NS/0053). The dissemination plans include Health Technology Assessment monograph, international scientific meetings and publications in high-impact, open-access journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN55215960; pre-results.

The Role of Gallstones in Gallbladder Cancer in India: A Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

Past history of gallstones is associated with increased risk of gallbladder cancer in observational studies. We conducted complementary observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to determine whether history of gallstones is causally related to development of gallbladder cancer in an Indian population.

METHODS

To investigate associations between history of gallstones and gallbladder cancer, we used questionnaire and imaging data from a gallbladder cancer case-control study conducted at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (cases = 1,170; controls = 2,525). We then used 26 genetic variants identified in a genome-wide association study of 27,174 gallstone cases and 736,838 controls of European ancestry in an MR approach to assess causality. The association of these genetic variants with both gallstones and gallbladder cancer was examined in the gallbladder cancer case-control study. Various complementary MR approaches were used to evaluate the robustness of our results in the presence of pleiotropy and heterogeneity, and to consider the suitability of the selected SNPs as genetic instruments for gallstones in an Indian population.

RESULTS

We found a strong observational association between gallstones and gallbladder cancer using self-reported history of gallstones [OR = 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.5-5.8] and with objective measures of gallstone presence using imaging techniques (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.5-2.7). We found consistent causal estimates across all MR techniques, with ORs for gallbladder cancer in the range of 1.3-1.6.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate a causal relationship between history of gallstones and increased risk of gallbladder cancer, albeit of a smaller magnitude than those found in observational analysis.

IMPACT

Our findings emphasize the importance of gallstone treatment for preventing gallbladder cancer in high-risk individuals.

Largest case series of giant gallstones ever reported, and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Giant/large gallstones have high risk of complications, and technical difficulties during surgery. This case series is the largest ever reported.

PRESENTATION OF CASES

Case 1: Female (44 years), with one year intermittent right upper quadrant colicky pain. Ultrasound: large gallstone (normal gallbladder). Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC): 6 × 4 × 3.3 cm gallstone. Case 2: Female (41 years), presented to emergency room with 3 days right upper quadrant pain/tenderness, vomiting, and positive murphy's sign. Ultrasound: large gallstone, calculus cholecystitis. Emergency LC: 4.5 × 3.1 × 3.5 cm gallstone. Case 3: Male (38 years), with history of gallstones and acute cholecystitis presented with intermittent right upper quadrant pain (2 months) and vomiting. Normal abdominal examination. Ultrasound: large gallstone. Elective LC: 4.1 × 4 × 3.6 cm gallstone.

CONCLUSIONS

Gallstones >5 cm are very rare, with higher risk of complications. Gallbladder should be removed even if asymptomatic. Gallstones >3 cm have increased risk for gallbladder cancer, biliary enteric fistula and ileus. LC has challenges that include grasping the gallbladder wall, exposure of Calot's triangle, and retrieval of gallbladder out of the abdomen. LC appears to be procedure of choice and should be performed by an experienced surgeon, considering the possibility of conversion to open cholecystectomy in case of inability to expose the anatomy or intraoperative difficulties.

Cholécystite aiguë de réanimation

La cholécystite aiguë de réanimation (0,2 à 1 % des patients) est liée à des facteurs de risque spécifiques (jeûne, nutrition parentérale, ventilation mécanique) et systémiques (instabilité, brûlures graves, catécholamines) conduisant à des phénomènes d’ischémie-reperfusion de la paroi vésiculaire, à l’origine d’une cholécystite classiquement alithiasique. Toutefois, les données récentes retrouvent une participation lithiasique dans 50%des cas environ. Il s’agit d’une maladie grave dont le diagnostic est difficile et la mortalité élevée (40 %). Chez ces patients graves, aucun critère clinicobiologique ne permet un diagnostic de certitude. L’imagerie du patient de réanimation peut être prise à défaut par les anomalies fréquemment retrouvées en réanimation ; les signes les plus évocateurs sont un épaississement pariétal vésiculaire supérieur à 4 mm, un hydrocholécyste ou un défaut de rehaussement de la paroi au scanner. Le traitement en urgence repose sur une antibiothérapie à large spectre ciblée sur les germes digestifs et nosocomiaux ainsi que sur une optimisation hémodynamique. La cholécystectomie (laparoscopique, voire sous-costale) représente le traitement de référence en empêchant la récidive. Mais la gravité des patients amène souvent à envisager une solution moins lourde que la chirurgie avec un drainage de la vésicule. Le drainage par voie percutanée est l’alternative de choix en raison de sa disponibilité et de son efficacité, il existe toutefois un risque théorique de récidive à l’ablation du drain, surtout en cas de cholécystite lithiasique. Le drainage interne par voie endoscopique (transpapillaire ou transdigestif) est une possibilité prometteuse, mais réservée à l’heure actuelle aux centres experts.

Cholesterol cholelithiasis: part of a systemic metabolic disease, prone to primary prevention

Cholesterol gallstone disease have relationships with various conditions linked with insulin resistance, but also with heart disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. These associations derive from mechanisms active at a local (i.e. gallbladder, bile) and a systemic level and are involved in inflammation, hormones, nuclear receptors, signaling molecules, epigenetic modulation of gene expression, and gut microbiota. Despite advanced knowledge of these pathways, the available therapeutic options for symptomatic gallstone patients remain limited. Therapy includes oral litholysis by the bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in a small subgroup of patients at high risk of postdissolution recurrence, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is the therapeutic radical gold standard treatment. Cholecystectomy, however, may not be a neutral event, and potentially generates health problems, including the metabolic syndrome. Areas covered: Several studies on risk factors and pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease, acting at a systemic level have been reviewed through a PubMed search. Authors have focused on primary prevention and novel potential therapeutic strategies. Expert commentary: The ultimate goal appears to target the manageable systemic mechanisms responsible for gallstone occurrence, pointing to primary prevention measures. Changes must target lifestyles, as well as experimenting innovative pharmacological tools in subgroups of patients at high risk of developing gallstones.

Critical Care Aspects of Gallstone Disease

Approximately twenty per cent of adults have gallstones making it one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal diseases in Western countries. About twenty per cent of gallstone patients requires medical, endoscopic, or surgical therapies such as cholecystectomy due to the onset of gallstone-related symptoms or gallstone-related complications. Thus, patients with symptomatic, uncomplicated or complicated gallstones, regardless of the type of stones, represent one of the largest patient categories admitted to European hospitals. This review deals with the important critical care aspects associated with a gallstone-related disease.

Incidence of gallstone disease and complications

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review was to describe the epidemiology of gallstone disease in the era of ultrasound screening and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent general population cohorts, including ultrasound screenings, have contributed to our understanding of formation and clinical course of gallstone disease. Cohorts of symptomatic gallstone disease have been informative about symptom recurrence and need of treatment. Preventive targets for gallstone formation may include obesity and the associated metabolic changes. The presence of gallstone disease is best described as a continuum from asymptomatic to symptomatic disease, with the latter including both pain attacks and complicated disease. Symptomatic disease causes a persistent high risk of symptom recurrence and need of cholecystectomy. The majority of gallstone carriers will remain asymptomatic and about one in five will develop symptoms. Determinants of disease progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic disease include sex, age, body mass index, and gallstone ultrasound characteristics.

SUMMARY

Because of the absence of effective gallstone formation prevention, targets against the metabolic changes in obesity should be further explored in randomized controlled trials. To optimize patient selection for cholecystectomy, treatment algorithms including identified determinants of symptomatic disease in gallstone carriers should be explored in prospective clinical trials.

Recent advances in understanding and managing cholesterol gallstones

The high prevalence of cholesterol gallstones, the availability of new information about pathogenesis, and the relevant health costs due to the management of cholelithiasis in both children and adults contribute to a growing interest in this disease. From an epidemiologic point of view, the risk of gallstones has been associated with higher risk of incident ischemic heart disease, total mortality, and disease-specific mortality (including cancer) independently from the presence of traditional risk factors such as body weight, lifestyle, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. This evidence points to the existence of complex pathogenic pathways linking the occurrence of gallstones to altered systemic homeostasis involving multiple organs and dynamics. In fact, the formation of gallstones is secondary to local factors strictly dependent on the gallbladder (that is, impaired smooth muscle function, wall inflammation, and intraluminal mucin accumulation) and bile (that is, supersaturation in cholesterol and precipitation of solid crystals) but also to "extra-gallbladder" features such as gene polymorphism, epigenetic factors, expression and activity of nuclear receptors, hormonal factors (in particular, insulin resistance), multi-level alterations in cholesterol metabolism, altered intestinal motility, and variations in gut microbiota. Of note, the majority of these factors are potentially manageable. Thus, cholelithiasis appears as the expression of systemic unbalances that, besides the classic therapeutic approaches to patients with clinical evidence of symptomatic disease or complications (surgery and, in a small subgroup of subjects, oral litholysis with bile acids), could be managed with tools oriented to primary prevention (changes in diet and lifestyle and pharmacologic prevention in subgroups at high risk), and there could be relevant implications in reducing both prevalence and health costs.

Cholecystectomy after gastric bypass-incidence and complications

BACKGROUND

Although cholecystectomy incidence is known to be high after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, the actual increase in incidence is not known. Furthermore, the outcome of cholecystectomy after RYGB is not known.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate cholecystectomy incidence before and after RYGB and to compare the outcome of post-RYGB cholecystectomy with the cholecystectomy outcome in the background population.

SETTING

Nationwide Swedish multiregister study.

METHODS

The Swedish Register for Cholecystectomy and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (n = 79,386) and the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry (n = 36,098) were cross-matched for the years 2007 through 2013 and compared with the National Patient Register.

RESULTS

The standardized incidence ratio for cholecystectomy before RYGB was 3.42 (2.75-4.26, P<.001); the ratio peaked at 11.4 (10.2-12.6, P<.001) 6-12 months after RYGB, which was 3.54 times the baseline level (2.78-4.49, P<.001). After 36 months, the incidence ratio had returned to baseline. The post-RYGB group demonstrated an increased risk of 30-day postoperative complications after cholecystectomy (odds ratio 2.13, 1.78-2.56; P<.001), including reoperation (odds ratio 3.84, 2.76-5.36; P<.001), compared with the background population. The post-RYGB group also demonstrated a higher risk of conversion, acute cholecystectomy, and complicated gallstone disease and a slightly prolonged operative time, adjusted for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and previous open RYGB.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the background population, the incidence of cholecystectomy was substantially elevated already before RYGB and increased further 6-36 months after RYGB. Previous RYGB doubled the risk of postoperative complications after cholecystectomy and almost quadrupled the risk of reoperation, even when intraoperative cholangiography was normal.

How Do Quality-of-Life and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Differ Between Post-cholecystectomy Patients and the Background Population?

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have indicated a correlation between indication for cholecystectomy and long-term gastrointestinal quality-of-life (QoL). The aim of the present study was to compare QoL in a post-cholecystectomy cohort with the background population and with historical controls.

METHODS

A post-cholecystectomy study group (on average 4 years after cholecystectomy) was compared with a control group from the background population using the Gastrointestinal Quality-of-Life Index (GIQLI). EQ-5D scores were compared with expected scores derived from recent historical data.

RESULTS

The post-cholecystectomy study group (N = 451) had better QoL measured by the EQ-5D compared with historical controls (p < 0.001), similar total GIQLI scores as the control group (N = 390), but scored worse on the GIQLI gastrointestinal symptoms subscale score (p < 0.001). The results include an item-by-item breakdown of the GIQLI questionnaire where the scores for diarrhea, bowel urgency, bloating, regurgitation, abdominal pain, flatus, fullness, nausea, uncontrolled stools, belching, heartburn, restricted eating, and bowel frequency were found to be significantly lower (i.e. worse) in the post-cholecystectomy cohort than in the control group. The opposite was true for relationships, endurance, sexual life, physical strength, feeling fit, not being frustrated by illness, and being able to carry out leisure activities, i.e. items related to general performance and well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, QoL after cholecystectomy was good, but there was an increased prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms compared to the background population.

Gallstones

Gallstones grow inside the gallbladder or biliary tract. These stones can be asymptomatic or symptomatic; only gallstones with symptoms or complications are defined as gallstone disease. Based on their composition, gallstones are classified into cholesterol gallstones, which represent the predominant entity, and bilirubin ('pigment') stones. Black pigment stones can be caused by chronic haemolysis; brown pigment stones typically develop in obstructed and infected bile ducts. For treatment, localization of the gallstones in the biliary tract is more relevant than composition. Overall, up to 20% of adults develop gallstones and >20% of those develop symptoms or complications. Risk factors for gallstones are female sex, age, pregnancy, physical inactivity, obesity and overnutrition. Factors involved in metabolic syndrome increase the risk of developing gallstones and form the basis of primary prevention by lifestyle changes. Common mutations in the hepatic cholesterol transporter ABCG8 confer most of the genetic risk of developing gallstones, which accounts for ∼25% of the total risk. Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical symptoms, abdominal ultrasonography and liver biochemistry tests. Symptoms often precede the onset of the three common and potentially life-threatening complications of gallstones (acute cholecystitis, acute cholangitis and biliary pancreatitis). Although our knowledge on the genetics and pathophysiology of gallstones has expanded recently, current treatment algorithms remain predominantly invasive and are based on surgery. Hence, our future efforts should focus on novel preventive strategies to overcome the onset of gallstones in at-risk patients in particular, but also in the population in general.

A Prediction Rule for Risk Stratification of Incidentally Discovered Gallstones: Results From a Large Cohort Study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

No one knows exactly what proportion of gallstones cause clinical events among subjects unaware of their gallstone status. We investigated the long-term occurrence of clinical events of gallstones and associations between ultrasound observations and clinical events.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 3 randomly selected groups in the general population of urban Copenhagen (age, 30-70 y) participating in an international study of cardiovascular risk factors (the Multinational mONItoring of trends and determinants in CArdiovascular disease study). In this study, participants (n = 6037) were examined from 1982 through 1994, and underwent abdominal ultrasound examinations to detect gallstones. Our study population comprised 664 subjects with gallstones; subjects were not informed of their gallstone status. Participants were followed up for clinical events through central registers until December 31, 2011. Independent variables included ultrasound characteristics, age, sex, comorbidity, and female-associated factors, which were analyzed using Cox regression.

RESULTS

Study participants were followed up for a median of 17.4 years (range, 0.1-29.1 y); 99.7% of participants completed the study. A total of 19.6% participants developed events (8.0% complicated and 11.6% uncomplicated). Ten percent had awareness of their gallstones; awareness was associated with uncomplicated and complicated events. Stones larger than 10 mm were associated with all events (hazard ratio [HR], 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-3.69), acute cholecystitis (HR, 9.49; 95% CI, 2.05-43.92), and uncomplicated events (HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.38-4.71), including cholecystectomy (HR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.29-5.60). Multiple stones were associated with all events (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.00-2.81), complicated events (HR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.05-6.04), and common bile duct stones (HR, 11.83; 95% CI, 1.54-91). There was an association between gallstones more than 5 years old and acute cholecystitis. Female sex was associated with all and uncomplicated events. We found a negative association between participant age and all events, uncomplicated events, and acute cholecystitis. Comorbidities and female-associated factors (intake of birth control pills or estrogens and number of births) were not associated with events. Compared with men with a single stone of 10 mm or smaller (reference), women with multiple stones greater than 10 mm had the highest risk for events (HR, 11.05; 95% CI, 3.76-32.44; unadjusted absolute risk, 0.0235 events/person-years).

CONCLUSIONS

Fewer than 20% of subjects with gallstones develop clinical events. Larger, multiple, and older gallstones are associated with events. Further studies are needed to confirm the prediction rules.

Management of gallstones and its related complications

The majority of gallstone patients remain asymptomatic; however, interest toward the gallstone disease is continuing because of the high worldwide prevalence and management costs and the development of gallstone symptoms and complications. For cholesterol gallstone disease, moreover, a strong link exists between this disease and highly prevalent metabolic disorders such as obesity, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia and the metabolic syndrome. Information on the natural history as well as the diagnostic, surgical (mainly laparoscopic cholecystectomy) and medical tools available to facilitate adequate management of cholelithiasis and its complications are, therefore, crucial to prevent the negative outcomes of gallstone disease. Moreover, some risk factors for gallstone disease are modifiable and some preventive strategies have become necessary to reduce the onset and the severity of complications.

Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cholecystectomy compared with observation/conservative management for preventing recurrent symptoms and complications in adults presenting with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones or cholecystitis: a systematic review and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

Approximately 10-15% of the adult population suffer from gallstone disease, cholelithiasis, with more women than men being affected. Cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for people who present with biliary pain or acute cholecystitis and evidence of gallstones. However, some people do not experience a recurrence after an initial episode of biliary pain or cholecystitis. As most of the current research focuses on the surgical management of the disease, less attention has been dedicated to the consequences of conservative management.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cholecystectomy compared with observation/conservative management in people presenting with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones (biliary pain) or cholecystitis.

DATA SOURCES

We searched all major electronic databases (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, Bioscience Information Service, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) from 1980 to September 2012 and we contacted experts in the field.

REVIEW METHODS

Evidence was considered from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised comparative studies that enrolled people with symptomatic gallstone disease (pain attacks only and/or acute cholecystitis). Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Standard meta-analysis techniques were used to combine results from included studies. A de novo Markov model was developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the interventions.

RESULTS

Two Norwegian RCTs involving 201 participants were included. Eighty-eight per cent of people randomised to surgery and 45% of people randomised to observation underwent cholecystectomy during the 14-year follow-up period. Participants randomised to observation were significantly more likely to experience gallstone-related complications [risk ratio = 6.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57 to 28.51; p = 0.01], in particular acute cholecystitis (risk ratio = 9.55; 95% CI 1.25 to 73.27; p = 0.03), and less likely to undergo surgery (risk ratio = 0.50; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.73; p = 0.0004), experience surgery-related complications (risk ratio = 0.36; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.81; p = 0.01) or, more specifically, minor surgery-related complications (risk ratio = 0.11; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.56; p = 0.008) than those randomised to surgery. Fifty-five per cent of people randomised to observation did not require an operation during the 14-year follow-up period and 12% of people randomised to cholecystectomy did not undergo the scheduled operation. The results of the economic evaluation suggest that, on average, the surgery strategy costs £1236 more per patient than the conservative management strategy but was, on average, more effective. An increase in the number of people requiring surgery while treated conservatively corresponded to a reduction in the cost-effectiveness of the conservative strategy. There was uncertainty around some of the parameters used in the economic model.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this assessment indicate that cholecystectomy is still the treatment of choice for many symptomatic people. However, approximately half of the people in the observation group did not require surgery or suffer complications in the long term indicating that a conservative therapeutic approach may represent a valid alternative to surgery in this group of people. Owing to the dearth of current evidence in the UK setting a large, well-designed, multicentre trial is needed.

STUDY REGISTRATION

The study was registered as PROSPERO CRD42012002817.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Gastrointestinal quality-of-life after cholecystectomy: indication predicts gastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal pain

BACKGROUND

Despite the fact that cholecystectomy is a common surgical procedure, the impact on long-term gastrointestinal quality of life is not fully known.

METHODS

All surgical procedures for gallstone disease performed at Mora County Hospital, Sweden, between 2 January 2002 and 2 January 2005, were registered on a standard database form. In 2007, all patients under the age of 80 years at follow-up were requested to fill in a form containing the Gastrointestinal Quality-of-Life Index (GIQLI) questionnaire and a number of additional questions. The outcome was analysed with respect to age, gender, smoking, surgical technique, and original indication for cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 627 patients (447 women, 180 men) underwent cholecystectomy, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy (N = 524), laparoscopic cholecystectomy converted to open cholecystectomy (N = 43), and open cholecystectomy (N = 60). The mean time between cholecystectomy and follow-up with the questionnaire was 49 months. The participation rate was 79 %. Using multivariate analysis in the form of generalised linear modelling, the original indication for cholecystectomy in combination with gender (p = 0.0042) was found to predict the GIQLI score. Female gender in combination with biliary colic as indication for cholecystectomy correlated with low GIQLI scores. Female gender also correlated with a higher risk for pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant after cholecystectomy (p = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

We found the original indication for cholecystectomy, together with gender, to predict gastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal pain after cholecystectomy. Careful evaluation of symptoms is important before planning elective cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: consensus conference-based guidelines

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard technique for gallbladder diseases in both acute and elective surgery. Nevertheless, reports from national surveys still seem to represent some doubts regarding its diffusion. There is neither a wide consensus on its indications nor on its possible related morbidity. On the other hand, more than 25 years have passed since the introduction of LC, and we have all witnessed the exponential growth of knowledge, skill and technology that has followed it. In 1995, the EAES published its consensus statement on laparoscopic cholecystectomy in which seven main questions were answered, according to the available evidence. During the following 20 years, there have been several additional guidelines on LC, mainly focused on some particular aspect, such as emergency or concomitant biliary tract surgery.

METHODS

In 2012, several Italian surgical societies decided to revisit the clinical recommendations for the role of laparoscopy in the treatment of gallbladder diseases in adults, to update and supplement the existing guidelines with recommendations that reflect what is known and what constitutes good practice concerning LC.

Systematic review of the clinical and cost effectiveness of cholecystectomy versus observation/conservative management for uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones or cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Gallstone disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder in industrialised countries. Although symptoms can be severe, some people can be symptom free for many years after the original attack. Surgery is the current treatment of choice, but evidence suggests that observation is also feasible and safe. We reviewed the evidence on cholecystectomy versus observation for uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones and conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis.

METHODS

We searched six electronic databases (last search April 2014). We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or non-randomised comparative studies where adults received either cholecystectomy or observation/conservative management for the first episode of symptomatic gallstone disease (biliary pain or cholecystitis) being considered for surgery in secondary care. Meta-analysis was used to combine results. A de novo Markov model was developed to assess the cost effectiveness of the interventions.

RESULTS

Two RCTs (201 participants) were included. Eighty-eight percent of people randomised to surgery and 45 % of people randomised to observation underwent cholecystectomy during the 14-year follow-up period. Participants randomised to observation were significantly more likely to experience gallstone-related complications (RR = 6.69, 95 % CI = 1.57-28.51, p = 0.01), in particular acute cholecystitis (RR = 9.55, 95 % CI = 1.25-73.27, p = 0.03), and less likely to undergo surgery (RR = 0.50, 95 % CI = 0.34-0.73, p = 0.0004) or experience surgery-related complications (RR = 0.36, 95 % CI = 0.16-0.81, p = 0.01) than those randomised to surgery. Fifty-five percent of people randomised to observation did not require surgery, and 12 % of people randomised to cholecystectomy did not undergo surgery. On average, surgery costs £1,236 more per patient than conservative management, but was more effective.

CONCLUSIONS

Cholecystectomy is the preferred treatment for symptomatic gallstones. However, approximately half the observation group did not require surgery or suffer complications indicating that it may be a valid alternative to surgery. A multicentre trial is needed to establish the effects, safety and cost effectiveness of observation/conservative management relative to cholecystectomy.

Diagnosis and management of gallbladder calculus disease

BACKGROUND

The number and rate of cholecystectomy are increasing worldwide, although indications for operative treatment remain empirical, and several issues in the understanding of the condition are not concisely outlined. Our intention is to summarize and interpret current opinion regarding the indications and timing of cholecystectomy in calculous gallbladder disease.

METHODS

Publications concerned with gallstone disease and related topics were searched for in MEDLINE using PubMed and summarized according to clinical scenarios with an emphasis on recent research.

RESULTS

Only one randomized controlled trial has investigated the management (conservative vs. surgery) of patients with acute cholecystitis and several have compared early with deferred surgery. Two RCTs have examined treatment of uncomplicated, symptomatic gallstone disease. Apart from these, the overwhelming majority of publications are retrospective case series.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent literature confirms that cholecystectomy for an asymptomatic or incidental gallstone is not justified. Symptomatic, uncomplicated gallstone disease may be classified into four severity groups based on severity and frequency of pain attacks, which may guide indication for cholecystectomy. Most patients below the age of 70 seem to prefer operative treatment. Acute cholecystitis may be treated with early operation if reduction of hospital days is an issue. Patients older than 70 years with significant comorbidities may forego surgical treatment without undue hazard. Symptoms following cholecystectomy remain in 25% or more and recent evidence suggest these are caused by a functional gastrointestinal disorder.

Management of gallstone disease in children: a new protocol based on the experience of a single center

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Gallstones and cholelithiasis are being increasingly diagnosed in children owing to the widespread use of ultrasonography. The treatment of choice is cholecystectomy, and routine intraoperative cholangiography is recommended to explore the common bile duct. The objectives of this study were to describe our experience with the management of gallstone disease in childhood over the last 18 years and to propose an algorithm to guide the approach to cholelithiasis in children based on clinical and ultrasonographic findings.

METHODS

The data for this study were obtained by reviewing the records of all patients with gallstone disease treated between January 1994 and October 2011. The patients were divided into the following 5 groups based on their symptoms: group 1, asymptomatic; group 2, nonbiliary obstructive symptoms; group 3, acute cholecystitis symptoms; group 4, a history of biliary obstructive symptoms that were completely resolved by the time of surgery; and group 5, ongoing biliary obstructive symptoms. Patients were treated according to an algorithm based on their clinical, ultrasonographic, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) findings.

RESULTS

A total of 223 patients were diagnosed with cholelithiasis, and comorbidities were present in 177 patients (79.3%). The most common comorbidities were hemolytic disorders in 139 patients (62.3%) and previous bariatric surgery in 16 (7.1%). Although symptoms were present in 134 patients (60.0%), cholecystectomy was performed for all patients with cholelithiasis, even if they were asymptomatic; the surgery was laparoscopic in 204 patients and open in 19. Fifty-six patients (25.1%) presented with complications as the first sign of cholelithiasis (eg, pancreatitis, choledocolithiasis, or acute calculous cholecystitis). Intraoperative cholangiography was indicated in 15 children, and it was positive in only 1 (0.4%) for whom ERCP was necessary to extract the stone after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Preoperative ERCP was performed in 11 patients to extract the stones, and a hepaticojejunostomy was indicated in 2 patients. There were no injuries to the hepatic artery or common bile duct in our series.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our experience, we can propose an algorithm to guide the approach to cholelithiasis in the pediatric population. The final conclusion is that LC results in limited postoperative complications in children with gallstones. When a diagnosis of choledocolithiasis or dilation of the choledocus is made, ERCP is necessary if obstructive symptoms persist either before or after an LC. Intraoperative cholangiography and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration are not mandatory.

Asymptomatic Gallstones (AsGS) - To Treat or Not to?

With ready availability of abdominal ultrasound, asymptomatic gallstones (AsGS) are being diagnosed with increasing frequency. Management decisions need to take into account the natural history of AsGS as well as the risks of cholecystectomy. Long-term follow up studies from the West have consistently shown that only a small minority of asymptomatic gallstones lead to development of symptoms or complications. Some sub-groups of patients (eg those with chronic hemolytic syndromes) have been shown to be at a higher risk of developing symptoms and complications and prophylactic cholecystectomy has been advised for them. Clear division of patients into low or high risk categories is still far from ideal and better identification of risk factors and risk stratification is needed. Overall, both open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, are generally safe procedures. However, the incidence of bile duct injury (with all its serious consequences) continues to be higher with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and this should receive due consideration before offering prophylactic cholecystectomy to an asymptomatic patient who is not expected to receive any clinical benefit from it. Gallbladder cancer is rare in most of the developed world and prophylactic cholecystectomy has generally not been recommended to prevent development of GBC. Considering the wide geographical/ethnic variation in incidence of GBC across the world and the strong association of GBC with gallstones, it may not be prudent to extrapolate the results of studies of natural history of AsGS from one part of the world to another. Since northern India has one of the highest incidences of GBC in the world, it is imperative to have data on natural history of AsGS in patients from this area to allow formulation of precise guidelines for management of AsGs.