[Residual cystic stump. Its significance in post-cholecystectomy syndromes]

Twelve patients with residual cystic stump syndromes are presented. Since such stumps play a part in the pain symptomatologies observed the day after cholecystectomy, it may be assumed that they are the site of alterations, whether in the stump it self or outside, but in all events in the biliary trunk; the choledochus and Oddi's sphincter are most commonly involved. In the 12 reported cases, the stump was abnormality long, dilated and the scene of chronic inflammation. Association with calculosis of the choledochus presents and aetiopathogenetic difficulty, since it is hard to determine the predominance of either condition; it was, in fact, present in 6 cases. Greater importance must be attached to amputation neuroma or sclerosing odditis. While it cannot always be shown that the residual stump is responsible for post-cholecystectomy syndromes, its removal on diagnosis is recommended when pain and dyskinesis are present.