[Histological examination of the gallbladder after cholecystectomy].
OBJECTIVE
Normally, the gallbladder is sent routinely for histological examination after cholecystectomy. From a cost-benefit point of view this may not be optimal.


METHODS
Computerised records were used to identify patients with gallbladder carcinoma over a 20-year period, from 1979 to 1999, and these patient records were evaluated manually.


RESULTS
The estimated cost for one histological examination was $37. During the period, 4,614 cholecystectomies were performed and 33 patients had gallbladder carcinoma. In 29 of the 33 patients, there was evident preoperative and/or peroperative suspicion of cancer, but no such suspicion in four patients. These four patients had other peroperative macroscopic abnormal findings, besides gallbladder stones.


CONCLUSIONS
This retrospective series indicates that in the case of normal preoperative and/or peroperative macroscopic conditions (except for gallbladder stones) there is no need for histological examination of the gallbladder.
Bisgaard
T
T
H:S Hvidovre Hospital, kirurgisk gastroenterologisk afdeling og patologisk afdeling. bisgaard@dadlnet.dk
Hansen
B F
BF
Lassen
A H
AH
Rosenberg
J
J
D000368:Aged; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology*; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques / Q000191:economics; D006652:Histological Techniques / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies