[Biliary calculi in a cohort of autopsies (Lausanne 1974-1981)]

In a sample of 5892 consecutive autopsies of adults (3676 men and 2216 women) performed at the pathology department of the university of Lausanne 1469 instances of cholelithiasis and/or cholecystectomy were noted (686 men and 783 women). The total frequency was 24.1% (18.6% for men, 35.3% for women, sex ratio 1:1.9). These figures, constant over the observation period, are actually among the highest ones in Europe. In comparison with other studies they demonstrate that a marked increase in the incidence of cholelithiasis occurred in Switzerland since the beginning of this century.