Frequency of papillary dysfunction among cholecystectomized patients.

Four hundred and fifty-four consecutive patients who had had their gallbladder removed were interviewed to determine the presence of upper abdominal pain, increased serum alkaline phosphatase and/or serum amylase activity. Patients with unexplained upper abdominal pain and/or enzyme abnormalities were offered endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and manometric evaluations. Dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi diagnosed by ERCP manometry may account for the abdominal pain seen in 14% of the patients with postcholecystectomy syndrome. It may rarely be the cause of an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and/or amylase when abdominal pain is not present. Papillary dysfunction is seen in less than 1% of the patients who have had their gallbladders removed. ERCP manometry is recommended in cholecystectomized patients with unexplained abdominal pain suggesting pancreaticobiliary origin.