[Complaints before and after cholecystectomy].

BACKGROUND

It may be difficult to decide whether a patient's discomfort is related to known gallbladder stones.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A questionnaire regarding pre- and postoperative complaints and satisfaction with treatment was sent to 211 patients a median 51 months after they had undergone cholecystectomy at Rana district hospital during the May 1993 to March 2001 period.

RESULTS

97% of the patients returned our questionnaire. 80% had experienced sudden bursts of pain; in 91% of them the pain was relieved. 71% reported no complaints after cholecystectomy, 26% still had some discomfort after the operation. Two thirds of these had experienced discomfort for several years. 22% reported new or different symptoms. After surgery our patients reported a significant reduction in symptoms like sudden pain, constant pain, nausea/vomiting and bloating. 94% were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome; 1% regretted having undergone the procedure.

INTERPRETATION

Sudden attacks of pain are likely to be relieved after cholecystectomy. Our patients also experienced a number of different types of discomfort both before and after the cholecystectomy. Similar complaints also are reported by persons without gallstones, hence it is difficult to interpret the relief or worsening of these symptoms in relation to the cholecystectomy.