Cholelithiasis

tion and in the female population, low physical activity, were further independently related to gallstone formation. Additionally, sex-specifi c interactions between risk factors were found. Conclusions: Female sex, age and being overweight are major risk factors for gallstone formation in this region where cholelithiasis is a frequent disorder. Additional factors and interactions contribute to a gender-specifi c gallstone risk.

ABSTRACT
The prevalence of cholesterol gallstones in Libya is very high depending on dietary patterns and ethnic background. It is now widely accepted that the primary event in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones is an altered lipid metabolism giving rise to a greater proportion of cholesterol relative to other bile lipids secreted from the liver into bile. An abnormality in lipid metabolism may arise from a combination of various factors such as excess dietary cholesterol/fat, obesity, diabetes and genetic factors. The association of cholesterol super saturation of bile with cholesterol gallstones paved the way to a physical-chemical basis for gallstone formation. It however, soon became clear that other factors including nucleation of cholesterol crystal, binding together of these crystals with mucin, and hypomotility of the gall bladder played an equally important roles in gallstone formation.
In the present study bile and serum were collected from 46 cholelithiasis patients during cholecystectomy at the 7th October Hospital of Al-Arab Medical University, Benghazi, Libya. Of the 46 bile samples collected, the male to female ratio was 1:6.67 (6 men and 40 women). Between 19 and 88 years of age, peak incidence of cholelithiasis was at age 40. Serum and biliary lipid profile was done by authenticated enzymatic methods. Serum lipid profile was done for 19 healthy controls of both sexes aged between 25 and 55 years.
Results showed no statistically significant change in serum and biliary triglycerides. There was a significant elevation in both serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) when compared with controls (p<0.01). Biliary cholesterol (p<0.01), HDL (p<0.01) and LDL (p<0.01) was raised significantly when compared with serum samples. In male cholelithiasis patients, only biliary total cholesterol (p<0.05) and HDL (p<0.001) cholesterol showed a significant raise. Among females, cholelithiasis patients of ≤40 years showed highly significant levels of HDL (p<0.001) and LDL (p<0.001) in serum, and total cholesterol (p<0.001), HDL (p<0.001) and LDL (p<0.001) in bile. Among females, cholelithiasis patients aged >40 years, biliary cholesterol (p<0.001) and HDL (p<0.001) showed a statistically significant elevation but this was not the case with biliary LDL (p<0.05).
As demonstrated in the present study, there is correlation between serum and biliary lipid profiles in causing gallstones in Libyan population. Both serum and biliary HDL consistently showed higher values in Libyan patients unlike in other studies.

Gallstone is a common disease with a 10% prevalence in the United States and Western Europe. However, it is only symptomatic in 20 -30% of patients, with biliary pain "colic" being the most common symptom. Complications of asymptomatic gallstone disease are generally rare, with an incidence of Ͻ1%/yr. The most common complications of gallstone disease are acute cholecystitis, acute pancreatitis, ascending cholangitis, and gangrenous gallbladder. Less frequent complications include Mirizzi syndrome, cholecystocholedochal fistula, and gallstone ileus. Mirizzi syndrome and cholecystocholedochal fistula are two manifestations of the same process that starts with impaction of a gallstone in the gallbladder neck that results in obstruction of the bile duct, causing jaundice. The gallstone may erode into the bile duct, causing cholecystocholedochal fistula. Gallstone ileus refers to small bowel obstruction resulting from the impaction of one or more gallstones after they have migrated through a cholecystoenteric fistula. An accurate diagnosis is essential to the management and prevention of further complications. A variety of imaging and endoscopic modalities are used to make the diagnosis once the condition is suspected clinically. Treatment should be tailored to each individual patient. Management choices include ERCP, lithotripsy (endoscopic or extracorporeal), and surgery. Prognosis is frequently related to early recognition, management of any comorbid conditions, and careful selection of treatment modalities. (Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97: 249 -254.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has rapidly become established as the treatment of choice for cholecystolithiasis. There is very little evidence, however, to support the claimed benefit to patients. In the present study 30 consecutive patients below the age of 65 years without acute cholecystitis and with no signs of common bile duct stones were randomized to laparoscopic or conventional open eholecystectomy. Median (interquartile range) intravenous consumption of pethidine with a patientcontrolled injection device between 13 and 24 h after surgery was 125 (62–175) mg in patients who underwent the laparoscopic procedure and 200 (150–250) mg in those who had open operation. Urinary adrenaline and cortisol levels as well as those of plasma glucose, C-reactive protein and interleukin 6 were increased after surgery in both groups of patients, but without any significant difference between them. The mean(s.d.) duration of postoperative hospital stay (2·8(0·8) versus 1·8(0·6) days) and sick leave (24·0(4·4) versus 11·7(4·1) days) was significantly longer with open than laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The findings demonstrate obvious advantages of laparoscopic surgery as regards postoperative pain and convalescence, although factors reflecting the magnitude of trauma did not differ.

Fibrates are an important class of drugs for the management of dyslipidemia. This class of drugs is generally well tolerated but is infrequently associated with several safety issues. Fibrates, most likely by an effect mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-␣, may reversibly increase creatinine and homocysteine but are not associated with an increased risk for renal failure in clinical trials. Fibrates are associated with a slightly increased risk (<1.0%) for myopathy, cholelithiasis, and venous thrombosis. In clinical trials, patients without elevated triglycerides and/or low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) levels, fibrates are associated with an increase in noncardiovascular mortality. In combination with statins, gemfibrozil generally should be avoided. The preferred option is fenofibrate, which is not associated with an inhibition of statin metabolism. Clinicians are advised to measure serum creatinine before fibrate use and adjust the dose accordingly for renal impairment. Routine monitoring of creatinine is not required, but if a patient has a clinically important increase in creatinine, and other potential causes of creatinine increase have been excluded, consideration should be given to discontinuing fibrate therapy or reducing the dose. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2007;99[suppl]:3C-18C) Can Therapy with a Fibrate Result in an Increase in Serum Creatinine? Response: Yes.

Over the last few years, weight loss has been recognised as a key factor in the control and prevention of coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, cardiorespiratory failure and other chronic degenerative diseases. It has been shown that even a modest loss of 5% of initial body weight can reduce, eliminate or prevent these disorders in a large proportion of overweight patients. The early benefits of weight loss can be explained by the direct effects of a low calorie diet, but the long-term effects can only partially be attributed to diet, physical exercise or behavioural modifications. Long-term studies have shown that a sustained moderate weight loss of 10% improves glycemic control as a result of reduced insulin resistance, the better control or prevention of hypertension, increased HDL-and decreased LDL-cholesterol and VLDL triglycerides, improved diastolic function and the propagation of a cardiac stimulus that reduces the risk of ventricular arrhyt...

Although obesity is a well-recognized risk factor for gallstones, the excess risks associated with higher levels of obesity and recent weight change are poorly quantified. We evaluated these issues in the Nurses&#39; Health Study. Among 90,302 women aged 34-59 y at baseline followed from 1980 to 1988, 2122 cases of newly diagnosed symptomatic gallstones occurred during 607,104 person-years of follow-up. From 1980 to 1986, 488 cases of newly diagnosed unremoved gallstones were documented. We observed a striking monotonic increase in gallstone disease risk with obesity; women with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 45 kg/m2 had a sevenfold excess risk compared with those whose BMI was less than 24 kg/m2. Women with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 had a yearly gallstone incidence of greater than 1% and those with a BMI greater than or equal to 45 kg/m2 had a rate of approximately 2%/y. Recent weight loss was associated with a modestly increased risk after adjustment for BMI before weight...

sWe describe the management of a cystic duct remnant calculus in a 45-year-old male patient who had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and re-presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was utilized to confirm the diagnosis of an impacted calculus within the remnant cystic duct along with several small retained common bile duct stones. Four sequential endoscopic procedures successfully removed all retained common bile duct calculi to alleviate the biliary obstruction; however, we were unable to treat the cystic duct remnant calculus endoscopically. The patient finally underwent successful laparoscopic excision of a 2.5-cm cystic duct remnant containing its impacted calculus. It remains unclear if cystic duct remnant calculi may become more prevalent as a cause of postcholecystectomy syndrome in future due to the large numbers of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in the past 2 decades.

To compare early with delayed cholecystectomy for the treatment of acute lithiasic cholecystitis: a meta-analysis of prospective randomized trials. Pertinent studies were selected from the Medline, Embase, Cancerlit, HealthSTAR and Cochrane Library Databases, references from published articles, and reviews. Twelve prospective randomized trials (9 addressing open cholecystectomy and 3 laparoscopic cholecystectomy) were selected. Conventional meta-analysis according to the DerSimonian and Laird method was used for the pooling of the results. The rate difference (RD) (95% CI) and the number needed to treat (NNT) were used as a measure of the therapeutic effect. Cumulative operative and perioperative mortality and morbidity were 0.9% and 17.8%, respectively, for open cholecystectomy and 0% and 13.1%, respectively, for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The pooled RD for operative complications in early surgery was 1.37% (95% CI =-3.78% to 6.53%; p= 0.2) for open cholecystectomy and 3.11% (95...

Background Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease slowly progresses to end-stage renal disease and has no eff ective therapy. A pilot study suggested that the somatostatin analogue octreotide longacting release (LAR) could be nephroprotective in this context. We aimed to assess the eff ect of 3 years of octreotide-LAR treatment on kidney and cyst growth and renal function decline in participants with this disorder.

A 6-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat was presented for acute onset of vomiting. Exploratory laparotomy identified a duplex gallbladder and left cholecystectomy was performed. Histopathology confirmed biliary mucocele and hepatic cholestasis. While rare, biliary mucoceles should be considered as a differential diagnosis for feline extrahepatic bile duct obstruction.

Age, female sex, and obesity are well-known risk factors for gallstones; in contrast the possible role of type 2 diabetes mellitus (type-2 DM) is controversial. One reason for this discrepancy might be that type 2 DM is often accompanied by obesity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of obesity and of type 2 DM, separately and together, as risk factors for gallstones. In all, 203 obese patients with normal glucose tolerance (obese NGT), 446 obese patients with type 2 DM (obese type 2 DM), 269 lean patients with type 2 DM (lean type 2 DM) and 250 lean subjects with a normal glucose tolerance (lean NGT) were evaluated by ultrasonography for the presence of gallstones. At univariate analysis patients with gallstones (177) were older and were more frequently affected by both obesity and type 2 DM, and had higher triglycerides and fasting blood glucose levels. At multiple logistic regression analysis, only age and obesity, both in the presence or in absence o...

Laparoscopic eholeeysteetomy has become the most prevalent method of treating uncomplicated, symptomatic cholelithiasis in the United States and elsewhere. As experience with this procedure grows, certain pitfalls are becoming apparent. Since October 1990, we have treated 22 patients for major injuries incurred during laparoscopic choleeysteetomy, including 15 women and 7 men (range: 23 to 85 years). One patient had previous upper abdominal surgery; no other patient had any relative contraindication to laparoscopie surgery. The most frequent site of injury (19 patients) was the extrahepatic biliary tract. There was one fatal duodenal perforation. All but two patients whose injuries went unrecognized at laparoseopy were symptomatic during the immediate postoperative period. The biliary injuries included complete transection of the common hepatic or common bile duet in 10 patients, complete ductal occlusion in 3, a cystic duct stump leak in 2, and a partially retained gallbladder with a contained intraperitoneal bile leak in 2. The site and extent of biliary injuries were delineated with transhepatic or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Reconstruction or repair of the biliary tract was accomplished with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy or cholangiojejunostomy in 11 and 1 patients, respectively, completion choleeysteetomy in 2, and temporary transhepatie stenting, primary eholedoehoeholedochostomy, and primary eholedoehorrhaphy over a T-tube in 1 patient each. One patient with a cystic duet stump leak was managed successfully with endoscopic sphincterotomy, whereas another required operative ligation. Laparoseopic injuries during eholeeystectomy can lead to serious morbidity and mortality, thus emphasizing the need for adequate training and eredentialing for surgeons and for a heightened clinical awareness of the potential complications, their long-term sequelae, and how to avoid them.

The correct treatment strategy of patients with unsuspected gallbladder cancer undergoing laparoscopy, and the prevention of delayed diagnosis are current issues. We report a case of late diagnosis with umbilical metastasis and poor survival. A policy of careful inspection of the gallbladder and a cautious strategy in the case of gross alteration of its external morphology seems advisable during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Although no agreement exists concerning the best treatment in the event of delayed diagnosis, the adopted strategy is contingent on patient status, disease stage and the possibility of performing appropriate follow-up.

The Patient Treatment File of the Department of Veterans Affairs comprises the computerized records of all inpatients treated in all Veterans Affairs hospitals distributed throughout the United States. This database was used to study the association between liver disease and clinically manifest cholelithiasis. The computerized medical records of 38,459 patients with various forms of liver disease and 69,336 controls without the diagnosis were extracted from the annual files between 1990 and 1993. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the occurrence of cholelithiasis served as the outcome variable, whereas different forms of liver disease and demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, and ethnicity, served as predictor variables. Among the control population, cholelithiasis was reported in 5.2% (3,571 of 69,336) of subjects. Cholelithiasis occurred in 7.5% (2,898 of 38,459) of patients with all liver disease, 9.5% (1,642 of 17,287) of patients with alcoholic liver cirrho...

We explored the risk factors for gallbladder cancer and explanations for its sharp and constant incidence increase in Chile since the 1970s. We compared 114 consecutive patients with verified gallbladder cancer, diagnosed 1992-1995, to 114 matched hospital patients with gallstones, using conditional logistic regression analysis. Low education showed a nonsignificant positive relationship with gallbladder cancer [odds ratio (OR) ‫؍‬ 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8 -6.2], and low socioeconomic level showed a significant relationship (OR ‫؍‬ 5.0, 95% CI 1.5-17.3). A very long history of gallstone disease was significantly more prevalent among cases (OR ‫؍‬ 11.0, 95% CI 1.4 -85.2). Significant red chili pepper consumption was observed in gallbladder cancer patients (OR ‫؍‬ 2.9, 95% CI 1.6 -5.2). Low intake of both fresh fruit and sugar as soft drinks was associated with gallbladder cancer, with ORs of 6.4 (95% CI 1.4 -30.3) and 3.6 (95% CI 1.3-10.1), respectively. Multivariate analysis kept only a very low socioeconomic status and red chili pepper consumption as significant independent risk factors for gallbladder cancer, ORs of 6.3 (95% CI 1.7-23.0) and 3.2 (95% CI 1.7-5.9). Longstanding gallstone cases were removed from the multivariate model because all were in the low and very low socioeconomic groups, reinforcing the association. Patients with gallbladder cancer differed from matched controls by exhibiting lower socioeconomic levels, having a much longer history of gallstone disease and presenting a dietary pattern characterized by high red chili pepper consumption and low fresh fruit intake.

The present study reviewed the occurrence of gall bladder carcinoma in patients who underwent a cholecystectomy for gallstone disease. Methods: A retrospective study of demographical and clinical information for patients who underwent a cholecystectomy and operative cholangiogram for gallstones predominantly in three major hospitals located in the northern area of Melbourne was carried out. Results: Gall bladder carcinomas were observed in 14 patients (3.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8-5.3%) consisting of 11 women and three men of median age 78.5 years (interquartile range: 77-81) from a series of 439 patients with a male-to-female ratio of 1-2. The results of the present study show that primary carcinoma of the gall bladder in this descriptive retrospective cohort was always associated with single or multiple cholesterol gallstones that were impacting on the gall bladder wall. Cholesterol 'solitaire' gallstones were ovoid in shape with diameters > 3 cm along their longest axis, whereas multiple cholesterol gallstones varied in size and number from two or three large stones (1-2 cm), to numerous smaller stones (variable size to 0.5 cm). No patient with gall bladder carcinoma had either brown or black pigment gallstones. Conclusion: It is postulated that gall bladder carcinoma may be intimately associated with large or numerous cholesterol gallstones that in the first instance may interfere with the mechanical functioning of the gall bladder. The size as well as the number of gallstones present in the gall bladder may contribute significantly to the promotion of a gallstone filling defect of the gall bladder that may cause chronic mechanical damage to the gall bladder mucosa. The present report supports the hypothesis that gall bladder carcinoma is an age-dependent malignancy, present mostly in women, that may be intimately associated with long-standing benign gallstone disease of the gall bladder.

Background Unsuspected common bile duct stones (CBDS) are found in 4-5 % of patients with cholelithiasis. The optimal strategy for the treatment of asymptomatic CBDS, diagnosed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), is not yet well established. A one-stage solution is preferable to solve the CBDS during the LC and to avoid the exposure of patients to the risks of a second procedure, such as complications or failure. Methods We attempted to remove CBDS by transcystic sphincter of Oddi pneumatic balloon dilation and common bile duct pressure-washing in all cases of intraoperative identification of CBDS since September 2008. Results In 29 cases, unsuspected CBDS was identified by intraoperative cholangiography; in 28 cases a single stone with a mean diameter of 4.3 mm (range = 3-6) was detected and in one case three 5-8-mm-diameter stones were identified. Clearance of the common bile duct was obtained in 27 cases (96 %), with a mean operative time of 54 min (range = 36-90) and mean length of hospital stay of 2.5 days.

Background: Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is a common dysrhythmia that occurs at all ages. Its management is determined by presenting symptoms and previous history of the patient. Patients present with a continuum of symptoms ranging from palpitations to syncope. The incidence of supraventricular tachycardia increases with age. Objectives: To discuss the etiology, precipitating factors, and acute management of supraventricular tachycardia; and to discuss nodal reentry circuits and representative electrocardiographic findings. Case Report: We present the case of an 84-year-old man with gallstone pancreatitis, choledolcholithiasis, and cholecystitis complicated by paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. We review this dysrhythmia, emphasizing its significance in elderly patients. Conclusion: Supraventricular tachycardia is a common dysrhythmia that can result in syncope or myocardial infarction. We present a case of an elderly man with new-onset atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentry tachycardia, possibly precipitated by overdrive of his autonomic nervous system due to pain and infection. As the percentage of the elderly in our population is growing rapidly and the incidence of AV nodal reentry tachycardia increases with age, emergency physicians should be familiar with this dysrhythmia-its etiology, precipitating factors, presentations, and treatment. It will present more frequently in the future. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Gallbladder cancer is usually associated with gallstone disease, late diagnosis, unsatisfactory treatment, and poor prognosis. We report here the worldwide geographical distribution of gallbladder cancer, review the main etiologic hypotheses, and provide some comments on perspectives for prevention. The highest incidence rate of gallbladder cancer is found among populations of the Andean area, North American Indians, and Mexican

Objective: the aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, clinical features and role of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with chronic acalculous cholecystitis (CAC) in comparison with a control group of patients who underwent cholecystectomy for chronic calculous cholecystitis (CCC).

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a higher incidence of iatrogenic perforation of the gallbladder than open cholecystectomy. The long-term consequences of spilled bile and gallstones are unknown. Data were collected prospectively from 1059 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy over a 3-year period. Details of the operative procedures and postoperative course of patients in whom gallbladder perforation occurred were reviewed. Long-term follow-up (range 24 to 59 months) was available for 92% of patients. Intraoperative perforation of the gallbladder occurred in 306 patients (29%); it was more common in men and was associated with increasing age, body weight, and the presence of omental adhesions (each P < 0.001). There was no increased risk in patients with acute cholecystitis (P = 0.13). Postoperatively pyrexia was more common in patients with spillage of gallbladder contents (18% vs. 9%; P < 0.001). Of the patients with long-term follow-up, inn-a-abdominal abscess developed in From the

Cholecystectomy is one of the commonest surgical procedures in the Western world, with more than half a million procedures performed annually in the United States alone. In recent years, studies of gallstone pathogenesis and gallbladder disease have increasingly focused on abnormal gallbladder motility in the pathogenesis of some, if not all, gallbladder conditions. The control of gallbladder motility is complex and depends on an intricate interplay of neural and hormonal factors. An understanding of the control of gallbladder motility is crucial to the understanding of the mechanisms of gallstone formation and may help to explain the failure to cure symptoms after cholecystectomy in up to one third of patients. The purpose of this article is to outline mechanisms controlling gallbladder motility, examine recent developments in our understanding of this complex process, and relate changes in motility to common disease conditions of the gallbladder. The role of altered motility in the pathogenesis of gallstones is discussed and the effects of commonly performed surgical procedures such as truncal vagotomy and cholecystectomy on upper gut physiology are reviewed.

Background The current management of choledocholithiasis remains a controversial topic. Popular options for treatment include preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), or LC and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) with T-tube decompression. Some concerns suggest that sphincterotomy has significant long-term complications as a result of sphincter of Oddi (SO) dysfunction, and T-tube decompression is historically associated with many complications and discomfort. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate our simple, safe techniques of LCBDE without a T-tube and with an intact SO. Methods Between April 2006 and July 2009, a total of 44 selected patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones underwent laparoscopic exploration at our institution. Of 44 laparoscopic choledochotomies, primary choledochorrhaphy was performed on patients with preoperatively installed endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) tubes (n = 10, 22.73%) or endonasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tubes (n = 10, 22.73%) and on patients with intraoperative biliary drainage C-tubes (n = 9, 20.45%) or pigtail J biliary drainage tubes (n = 15, 34.09%). Results The mean operating time for the ENBD, ERBD, J-tube, and C-tube groups were 97.8, 96.2, 102.1, and 98.7 min, respectively. There were no conversions to open surgery, and no intraoperative complications were experienced in any group. CBD clearance was achieved in 43 patients (97.73%). The mean lengths of follow-up for the ENBD, ERBD, J-tube, and C-tube groups were 27.0, 26.7, 23.8, and 30.4 months, respectively; and none of the patients developed major biliary complications including recurrent stones. Conclusions Laparoscopic primary closure with internal and external biliary drainage tubes is safe and an effective alternative to T-tube placement, especially for younger patient groups able to endure bile duct exploration. Sphincter of Oddi function is well preserved to prevent recurrent bile duct stones and bile duct cancer. Procedures are safe with great feasibility.

Background Routine intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) has been advocated as a viable strategy to reduce common bile duct injury (CDI) during cholecystectomy. This is predicated, in part, on the low cost of IOC, making it a cost-effective preventive strategy. Using billed hospital charges as a proxy for costs, we sought to estimate costs associated with the performance of IOC. Methods The 2001 National Inpatient Survey (NIS) database was assessed for IOC utilization and associated charges. Average charges for hospital admission where the primary procedure was laparoscopic cholecystectomy were compared for those associated with and without the performance of IOC. Results Eighteen percent of cholecystectomies were performed in facilities that never perform IOC. Routine IOC (defined as >75% of cholecystectomies performed in any one hospital having a concomitant IOC) was performed in only 11% of hospitals. In the remaining 71% of hospitals, selective IOC was performed. IOCs were associated with US $706-739 in additional hospital charges when performed in conjunction with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We project a cost of US $371,356 to prevent a single bile duct injury by using routine cholangiography. Conclusion We conclude that only a minority of hospitals performs cholecystectomies with routine IOC. Because of the significant amount of hospital charges attributable to IOC, routine IOC is not cost-effective as a preventative measure against bile duct injury during cholecystectomy.

The epidemiological associations of gallstone disease were by age and sex have been extensively reported in a previous article, 1 and will be only briefly recalled here. This article evaluated in a general population sample of 29,584 individuals (15,910 men and 13,674 women; age range, 30-39 years) analyzes and discusses the relationships between gallstone disease and the associated individual factors. belonging to 14 cohorts examined between December 1984 and April 1987. Subjects were screened for the presence of PATIENTS AND METHODS gallstones by gallbladder ultrasonography, completed a questionnaire, and underwent a physical examination and blood Data Collection. The study protocol was prepared by the coordichemistry tests. Participants were considered to have gallnating unit based on experience gained during the pioneering epidestone disease if they had already had cholecystectomy or gallmiological studies performed in Italy by the Rome Group for the stones. Statistical associations were established by univariate Epidemiology and Prevention of Cholelithiasis (GREPCO) 2-5 and analysis of the age-standardized data and by stepwise multiple the Sirmione project. The examination included an interview with logistic regression. Increasing age and body mass index and the administration of a standard questionnaire, followed by a physia maternal family history of gallstone disease were the most cal and ultrasonographic examination of the upper abdomen and a blood sampling for biochemical analyses. Field activities started in consistent associations (both at univariate and multivariate December 1984 and finished in April 1987. Details of the questionanalysis and in both sexes) found in this study. Personal naire were given elsewhere. 1 Among others, questions relevant to history of dieting was associated with gallstone disease in the present study were the following: 1) Did your father or mother men, and at univariate analysis, in women. Decreasing serum ever suffer from gallstones or undergo cholecystectomy? 2) Do you total cholesterol levels and increasing serum triglycerides currently smoke cigarettes? If yes, how many a day and since when? were associated with gallstone disease in both sexes in the If not, have you ever smoked regularly? 3) Have you ever suffered multivariate analysis. In women, associations were also found from diabetes, gastric or duodenal ulcer, myocardial infarction or with a number of pregnancies and paternal family history angina, hepatic cirrhosis, Crohn's disease, or hemolytic anemia? of gallstone disease. A slight but negative association with 4) Have you ever regularly assumed serum lipid-lowering drugs, contraceptive pill use was identified only at multivariate analaspirin, or antirheumatic drugs? If yes, which and for how long?

Elective cholecystectomy in the asymptomatic patient has elicited considerable controversy, going back to the prelaparoscopy cholecystectomy era. Surgical services often see patients with known or unidentified cholelithiasis who, having been asymptomatic, present with serious complications, potentially lethal, in whom emergency operations are associated with technical difficulties that lead to high conversion rates and significant mortality and morbidity. Elective cholecystectomy is a safe procedure associated with low morbidity and no mortality. Based on an analysis of our experience and a review of the literature, we discuss the indications for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in asymptomatic patients at high risk of developing complications of their asymptomatic disease. The following high-risk criteria are proposed for elective cholecystectomy: life expectancy > 20 years; calculi > 2 cm in diameter; calculi < 3 mm and a patent cystic duct; radiopaque calculi; polyps in the gallbladder (GB); nonfunctioning GB; calcified ("porcelain") GB; concomitant diabetes; women < 60 years; and individuals in geographic regions with a high prevalence of GB cancer.