The effect of cholecystectomy on oesophageal symptoms

Abstract

Abstract A prospective study was made of 225 patients with gallbladder disease treated by cholecystectomy. Of these, 77 (34 per cent) complained of oesophageal symptoms; after cholecystectomy 44 continued to hace these symptoms, 33 having been cured. Patients in the 40–59-year age group had a higher incidence of oesophageal symptoms and significantly fewer were cured by choiecystectomy than in the other age groups. In patients with refru× on barium studies andlor an enlarged hiatus at operation the incidence of oesophageal symptoms was higher (60 per cent), and less than 20 per cent of these were improved by cholecystectomy.