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[Histological examination of the gallbladder after cholecystectomy]
T Bisgaard1, B F Hansen, A H Lassen
1H:S Hvidovre Hospital, kirurgisk gastroenterologisk afdeling og patologisk afdeling. bisgaard@dadlnet.dk
Background And Objectives:
Normally, the gallbladder is sent routinely for histological examination after cholecystectomy. From a cost-benefit point of view this may not be optimal.
Methods:
Computerised records were used to identify patients with gallbladder carcinoma over a 20-year period, from 1979 to 1999, and these patient records were evaluated manually.
Results:
The estimated cost for one histological examination was $37. During the period, 4,614 cholecystectomies were performed and 33 patients had gallbladder carcinoma. In 29 of the 33 patients, there was evident preoperative and/or peroperative suspicion of cancer, but no such suspicion in four patients. These four patients had other peroperative macroscopic abnormal findings, besides gallbladder stones.
Conclusion:
This retrospective series indicates that in the case of normal preoperative and/or peroperative macroscopic conditions (except for gallbladder stones) there is no need for histological examination of the gallbladder.