Postcholecystectomy syndrome
Encyclopedia
Postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) describes the presence of abdominal symptoms after surgical removal of the gallbladder
(Cholecystectomy
).
Symptoms of postcholecystectomy syndrome may include:
Symptoms occur in about 5 to 40 percent of patients who undergo cholycystectomy.
The pain associated with post-cholecystectomy syndrome is usually ascribed to either sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
or to post-surgical adhesions
.
Approximately 50% of cases are due to biliary causes such as remaining stone, biliary injury, dysmotility and choledococyst. The remaining 50% are due to non-biliary causes. This is because upper abdominal pain and gallstones are both common but are not always related.
Gallbladder
In vertebrates the gallbladder is a small organ that aids mainly in fat digestion and concentrates bile produced by the liver. In humans the loss of the gallbladder is usually easily tolerated....
(Cholecystectomy
Cholecystectomy
Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. It is the most common method for treating symptomatic gallstones. Surgical options include the standard procedure, called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and an older more invasive procedure, called open cholecystectomy.-Open surgery:A...
).
Symptoms of postcholecystectomy syndrome may include:
- Upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting.
- Gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
- Persistent pain in the upper right abdomen
Symptoms occur in about 5 to 40 percent of patients who undergo cholycystectomy.
The pain associated with post-cholecystectomy syndrome is usually ascribed to either sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction refers to two motility conditions affecting the Sphincter of Oddi; papillary stenosis and sphincter of Oddi dyskinesia...
or to post-surgical adhesions
Adhesion (medicine)
Adhesions are fibrous bands that form between tissues and organs, often as a result of injury during surgery. They may be thought of as internal scar tissue that connect tissues not normally connected.-Pathophysiology:...
.
Approximately 50% of cases are due to biliary causes such as remaining stone, biliary injury, dysmotility and choledococyst. The remaining 50% are due to non-biliary causes. This is because upper abdominal pain and gallstones are both common but are not always related.