Postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) is a complex of symptoms from gastrointestinal tract that could develop and maintain after cholecystectomy. PCS usually consists of: abdominal pain or colic, dyspepsia, constipation or diarrhoea, nausea, bloating, fatty food intolerance. Regarding PSC as disease entity is still a point of many controversies.
The aim of the study: To estimate the prevalence of PCS in patients after cholecystectomy performed in Department of General and Colorectal Surgery of Medical University in Lodz. Material and methods. From the cohort of 243 patients (pts) operated on due to symptomatic cholecystitis the group of 150 pts was surveyed. We included 86 pts who answered the questionnaire. The prevalence of PCS and intensity of symptoms were measured with the use of modified Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS)--only 6 complaints commonly connected with pathology of biliary system were chosen (abdominal pain, rebounding, constipation, urgent diarrhea, nausea, bloating).
Results: After cholecystectomy gastric complains were revealed in 32 pts (37.2%). In a group of 12 pts (13.9%) symptoms were noted at the same level of intense. However in 20 pts (23.25%) either more intense or appeared as brand new manifestation. Excessive amount of intestinal gases (93.75%) and bloating (87.5%) were the most common symptoms unlike abdominal pain, heartburn and diarrhea.
Conclusions: Gastric symptoms of PCS occur in one third of pts after elective cholecystectomies. Complete PCS develops after 3 months postoperatively what is likely connected with the change of diet. Excessive amount of intestinal gases, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhea were the most common symptoms. The most intense complaint is persistent abdominal pain likely indicating comorbidities.