Evaluation of Body Surface Area as a Determinant of Cholecystodynamics Due to Orally Administered Standardized Skimmed Milk

Abstract

The author studied the relationship between body surface area and both the gallbladder contraction index and gallbladder emptying rate. Using the ellipsoid formula, gallbladder volumes were sonographically measured in the preprandial state and 20 minutes after a standardized fatty meal in 62 subjects. Gallbladder contraction indices and emptying rates were calculated. The body surface area of 61 subjects who followed the study design was computed from their height and weight measurements. Parametric tests also were carried out, revealing that there were no significant correlations between body surface area and gallbladder contraction index and gallbladder emptying rate. Dosing in cholecystodynamic studies may be limited by lack of correlation between gallbladder emptying rate and body surface area.