The empty gallbladder syndrome--results of operation for noncalculous biliary disorders.

Based on results of long-term follow-up and pathophysiologic considerations in 38 consecutive patients, it was possible to speculate on the frequencies of the various causes of the empty gallbladder syndrome. In approximate percentages, these are as follows: bile stasis causing chronic acalculous cholecystitis, 47%; physiologic dysfunction of the gallbladder, 24%; psychogenic illness, 16%; sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, 13%; ulcerative colitis, 3%. Because as many as 30% to 35% of these patients will not benefit from cholecystectomy, I feel that it should be undertaken with caution in cases of this syndrome.