title: [3-year results of 'gallstone outpatient clinic' in an academic hospital].
abstract: On April 1st 1988 an outpatient clinic solely for patients with gallstones was started. 594 patients visited the gallstone outpatient clinic during the first three years of its existence and the data of all these patients were collected and examined retrospectively. Mean age was 49.0 years (SD: 15; range: 20-88), male-female ratio was 0.34 and the majority of patients were symptomatic (86.9%). 60.3% were referred by their general practitioners, 21.7% by another specialist en 18.0% sought help on their own initiative. In 8.1% of the cases there were acute biliary problems and 2.4% had an increased surgical mortality risk. Cholecystectomy was advised in the majority of patients (51.9%), expectant management in 20.2%, analysis was stopped in 2.5% and the others (25.4%) were advised a treatment alternative to cholecystectomy. Medical, but most of all public interest in the different therapeutic modalities for symptomatic cholelithiasis has a trend-sensitive character which is reflected in patterns of referral, diagnostic procedures and therapeutic advice given.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Ziekenhuis Rotterdam-Dijkzigt, afd. Algemene Heelkunde.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Plaisier
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Nijs
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: van der Hul
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: den Toom
authors.forename: O T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Terpstra
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
vernacular_title: Ervaringen van 3 jaar 'galsteenpolikliniek' in een academisch ziekenhuis.