A pediatric surgeon’s dilemma: does cholecystectomy improve symptoms of biliary dyskinesia?

This multi-institution retrospective study of 45 pediatric patients demonstrates that cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia provides durable symptom relief primarily in patients with post-prandial pain (91% resolution at 2 years), while non-food-related abdominal pain shows declining benefit over time (38% resolution at 2 years). The study suggests alternative pain sources should be evaluated before surgery in patients without post-prandial symptoms.