title: [Gallstones: natural course and complications].
abstract: Cholelithiasis is a common clinical situation. In most individuals it takes an inconspicuous clinical course. In symptomatic patients the complications have to be considered: acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, choledocholithiasis, pancreatitis, ileus by large stones and--in a subgroup of patients--carcinoma of the biliary system. Therapy is warranted in symptomatic patients in order to prevent complications. The decision for use of surgical versus non surgical interventions is decided on a individual basis. In general laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the procedure of choice nowadays. A prophylactic cholecystectomy is as a rule not indicated in asymptomatic patients.
authors.affiliation: Departement für Innere Medizin, Medizinische Klinik B, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Blum
mesh_terms: D002761:Cholangitis / Q000209:etiology; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000209:etiology; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D042882:Gallstones / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology
vernacular_title: Gallensteine: natürlicher Verlauf und Komplikationen.