title: The impact of routine histopathological examination on cholecystectomy specimens from an Asian demographic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most gallbladder carcinoma cases are suspected pre-operatively or intra-operatively. In Malaysia histopathological examination of cholecystectomy specimens has become routine practice. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of routine histological examinations  on cholecystectomy specimens from an Asian demographic, which may differ from a Caucasian demographic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed of all histopathology reports for cholecystectomies (laparoscopic and open) undertaken over a period of 12 years (1997-2008) in a single  teaching hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,375 gallbladder specimens were sent for histopathological analysis, with 7 (0.5%) being reported as malignant while only three (0.2%) were found to contain primary gallbladder carcinoma. Other premalignant findings included two specimens with dysplastic  changes of the mucosa and one tubulovillous adenoma with a dysplastic epithelium. From the ten malignant and premalignant specimens, seven were diagnosed pre-operatively, two were suspected intra-operatively and one was diagnosed with dysplastic changes on the histopathology report post-operatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports earlier research carried out in the UK and the demographic difference does not affect the impact of the histology examination on cholecystectomy specimens in diagnosing this disease. A selective policy is recommended in Malaysia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. mdskfc@gmail.com
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mohammad
authors.forename: Y Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Khoo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krishnasamy
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000379:methods; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D041881:Cholecystitis, Acute / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult