INTRODUCTION: Gallstone removal preserving the gallbladder is a therapeutic option in cholelithiasis. Our group has made use of this technique for twenty-five years in pediatric patients. The purpose of this review was to study gallstone recurrence and gallbladder motility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had gallstones removed with this technique from 1989 until 2013 were contacted and asked about digestive or other health problems. A sonographic assessment was made in order to look for gallstone recurrence and to measure gallbladder volumes and contraction after fasting and after consuming a fatty meal. RESULTS: All patients are asymptomatic except a girl who suffered colic pain and who had a gallstone recurrence. The median of volume after fasting was 18.37 cc and after consuming the meal 7.16 cc. The median of gallbladder contraction was 57.63%. CONCLUSIONS: A gallstone relapse was identified (10%). Long-term follow up showed an excellent gallbladder function and contraction (greater than 30%) without other recurrences. Based on our experience, in patients properly selected cholecistolithotomy is an interesting option in children.
INTRODUCTION:Gallstone removal preserving the gallbladder is a therapeutic option in cholelithiasis. Our group has made use of this technique for twenty-five years in pediatric patients. The purpose of this review was to study gallstone recurrence and gallbladder motility. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Patients who had gallstones removed with this technique from 1989 until 2013 were contacted and asked about digestive or other health problems. A sonographic assessment was made in order to look for gallstone recurrence and to measure gallbladder volumes and contraction after fasting and after consuming a fatty meal. RESULTS: All patients are asymptomatic except a girl who suffered colic pain and who had a gallstone recurrence. The median of volume after fasting was 18.37 cc and after consuming the meal 7.16 cc. The median of gallbladder contraction was 57.63%. CONCLUSIONS: A gallstone relapse was identified (10%). Long-term follow up showed an excellent gallbladder function and contraction (greater than 30%) without other recurrences. Based on our experience, in patients properly selected cholecistolithotomy is an interesting option in children.