The fate of gallstones: traditional practice questioned.
OBJECTIVE
Gallstones are traditionally handed back to patients as a souvenir of their cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to review the potential hazards of this practice, the final fate of gallstones and the patients' perception of the risks.


METHODS
A total of 86 consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis were surveyed prospectively. An unrestricted Medline database search was performed to gather pertinent literature.


RESULTS
Of the 86 patients studied, 64% took their gallstones home, out of whom 29% actually handled the stones. In 9%, gallstones were accessible to children. Of all patients surveyed, 19% thought that the stones could be harmful. No patient received any information about the potential risks. Of the study group, 35% had discarded their stones by 6 weeks and 16% were planning to discard them. The rest were unsure or had decided to keep the stones.


CONCLUSIONS
Available literature establishes the presence of viable pathogenic bacteria in gallstones, but their infective potential is unknown. These bacteria are possibly more pathogenic than similar gut flora. This study has shown that gallstones are handled by a significant number of patients and are even accessible to children. The majority of patients do not consider them harmful and no information is provided to them. In this age of increasing health awareness, we recommend that patients taking their gallstones home should be informed of the potential risks.
Tamhankar
A P
AP
Department of Surgery, University of Southern California, 1510 San Pablo St, HCC-514, Los Angeles, CA 91106, USA. aptamhankar@hotmail.com
Nigam
K
K
Houghton
P W J
PW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011364:Professional Practice; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D017744:Medical Waste Disposal