Abstract
Introduction: Cholecystectomy is the gold standard for surgical treatment of cholelithiasis, biliary pain, and other gallbladder disorders, with a recovery rate of more than 90%. However, some patients suffer from post-cholecystectomy syndrome, which is the recurrence of symptoms.
Objectives: We aimed to assess the prevalence of symptoms in patients before and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery to determine the prevalence of post-cholecystectomy syndrome.
Patients and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 55 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy enrolled in the study. Clinical data were recorded and patients followed up after the surgery. The symptoms and signs were recorded during hospitalization before surgery and one week and one month after surgery. Descriptive statistical methods were used for data analysis.
Results: Abdominal pain was the most common preoperative complaint in 52 cases (94.5%), followed by fat intolerance in 38 cases (69%) and nausea and vomiting in 27 cases (49%). Postoperative signs and symptoms include nausea and vomiting 4.5%, indigestion 5.5%, anorexia 4.5%, heartburn 6.3%, abdominal pain 9.8%, fat intolerance 9.8%, and change of bowel habits (6.3%). In 1.7% of patients, new symptoms were observed at the end of the first month.
Conclusion: In our study, the incidence of post-cholecystectomy syndrome was less than 10%, and it can be said that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an effective treatment for symptomatic gallstones and resulted in complete improvement of symptoms in most patients.