Clinical economics review: the management of gallstone disease.
Surgical techniques have an inherent advantage over oral bile therapy and extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy because they remove both gallstones and the gallbladder, thus preventing stone recurrence. Moreover, surgical techniques are more effective for patients with symptomatic gallstones compared with non-surgical techniques. Laparoscopic surgery is the best therapy from the clinical economic viewpoint being cost-minimal, effective and beneficial compared with other surgical and medical techniques. However, non-surgical techniques may be preferable in selected patients at high risk from general anaesthesia such as the elderly and those with significant cardiopulmonary disease.
Department of Medicine, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
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Hussaini
D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000191:economics*; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000191:economics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid