title: Cholecystectomy and oesophageal reflux: a prospective evaluation.
abstract: The effect of cholecystectomy on oesophageal function was examined prospectively. Of 37 patients studied, 17 (46 per cent) were still symptomatic 3-4 months after surgery. Thirteen patients (35 per cent) had abnormal oesophageal pH profiles before cholecystectomy, increasing to 27 (73 per cent) afterwards (P < 0.002). The mean (s.e.m.) DeMeester acid reflux score increased from 15.2(2.1) to 34.2(5.2) (P < 0.001) after operation. Lower oesophageal sphincter function, as measured by the sphincter function index, was significantly reduced in the patients with abnormal pH profiles after operation (P < 0.01). Mean(s.e.m.) supine gastric alkaline shift (proportion of time at pH > 4) increased from 9.2(2.0) to 17.7(3.7) per cent (P < 0.02) and the incidence of gastritis from eight patients (22 per cent) to 23 (62 per cent) (P < 0.001). These data suggest that cholecystectomy results in gastro-oesophageal reflux that appears to be related to compromised sphincter competence.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, Trinity College, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jazrawi
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lawlor
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Hennessy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies