A long-term cohort study of outcome after cholecystectomy for chronic acalculous cholecystitis.
BACKGROUND
Cholecystectomy is effective therapy for chronic calculous cholecystitis (CCC). The long-term outcome of patients treated with cholecystectomy for chronic acalculous cholecystitis (CAC) is unknown.


METHODS
A controlled, retrospective cohort study assessing biliary pain (preoperative and at follow-up) in postcholecystectomy patients with CAC or CCC was performed.


RESULTS
In 19 CAC and with matched CCC control patients, the mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 38.3 months (95% CI, 16.4 to 60.2) and 8.1 months (95% CI, 5.4 to 10.8), respectively. The mean follow-up for both groups was 8.37 +/- 1.13 years. Both groups benefited from cholecystectomy (P <0.001), and both were equally likely to be pain-free upon long-term follow-up (95% CAC versus 84% CCC, P >0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no difference in outcome between the groups after an average follow-up of 8.37 years. Postcholecystectomy patients with chronic cholecystitis and no gallstones have long-term, complete pain resolution, similar to patients with gallstones.
Jagannath
Sanjay B
SB
Division of Gastroenterology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Room 419, 1830 E. Monument St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Singh
Vikesh K
VK
Cruz-Correa
Marcia
M
Canto
Marcia Irene F
MI
Kalloo
Anthony N
AN
D000328:Adult; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome