Post-cholecystectomy syndrome in pediatric patients: Occurrence and spectrum of symptoms
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In brief
In brief
Retrospective study of 44 pediatric cholecystectomy patients found 37% experienced post-cholecystectomy syndrome, most commonly presenting with diarrhea, bloating, and reflux. Overweight was identified as a potential risk factor, though most patients remained satisfied with surgical outcomes despite persistent symptoms.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Background
: Post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) refers to persistent or new abdominal symptoms after cholecystectomy. As there are very few reports on PCS in pediatric patients, we aimed to examine whether it was a frequent finding and which symptoms the affected children experienced.
Method
: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of pediatric patients, who underwent cholecystectomy during 2003-2019 at Oslo University Hospital. The PedsQLTM gastrointestinal symptoms scale questionnaire and a self-designed questionnaire exploring satisfaction after surgery and current medical conditions were mailed to all eligible patients. Patient/parental consent and approval from the local data protection officer (19/09054) were obtained.
Results
: Questionnaires were sent to 82 patients of whom 44 (54%) answered. There were no significant demographic differences between the responders and the non-responders. We identified 16 (36.7 %) patients to have PCS. The most common symptoms were diarrhea (25%), bloating (16%), and heartburn/reflux (16%). Overweight was more common in patients with PCS (31%) than in patients without PCS (4%) (p=0.014). Altogether 34/44 (77.3%) patients were satisfied with the result of the cholecystectomy; 92,6% of patients without PCS and 56.6% of those with PCS (p=0.012).
Conclusion
: PCS is not uncommon in pediatric patients, and they report a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms. We identified overweight as a potential risk factor for developing PCS. Nonetheless, most patients got total relief of abdominal pain and were satisfied with outcome after cholecystectomy.
Level of Evidence
: Level 3