title: Post-cholecystectomy symptoms were caused by persistence of a functional gastrointestinal disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To classify gallstone disease as a basis for assessment of post-cholecystectomy symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty three patients with a clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of gallstones filled out a structured questionnaire on abdominal pain symptoms and functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) before and at six months after cholecystectomy. Symptom frequency groups (SFG) were categorized according to frequency of pain attacks. According to certain pain characteristics in gallstone patients, a gallstone symptom score was accorded on a scale from one to ten. A visual analogue scale was used to quantify pain. Operative specimens were examined for size and magnitude of stone contents as well as presence of bacteria. Follow-up took place after six months with either a consultation or via a mailed questionnaire. Results were compared with those obtained pre-operatively to describe and analyze symptomatic outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SFG groups were categorized as severe (24.2%), moderate (38.6%), and mild (22.2%) attack frequency, and a chronic pain condition (15%). Pain was cured or improved in about 90% of patients and two-thirds of patients obtained complete symptom relief. Patients with the most frequent pain episodes were less likely to obtain symptom relief. FGID was present in 88% of patients pre-operatively and in 57% post-operatively (P = 0.244). Those that became asymptomatic or improved with regard to pain also had most relief from FGID (P = 0.001). No pre-operative FGID meant almost complete cure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only one third of patients with FGID experienced postoperative relief, indicating that FGID was a dominant cause of post-cholecystectomy symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, Bergen N-5892, Norway.
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Søndenaa
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dumot
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosenblatt
authors.forename: Trygve
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hausken
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramnefjell
authors.forename: Gro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Njølstad
authors.forename: Geir Egil
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Eide
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome