Cholelithiasis in the western region of Saudi Arabia

This is a prospective study of 454 patients with cholelithiasis treated surgically in the University Hospital at Jeddah admitted to surgical department of K.A.U.H. from 1979 until the end of 1987. Biliary surgery constituted 4.7% of all major operations reviewed in our Hospital. The disease affected females 4.5 times more than males. Right hypochondrial pain was present in 74.2% of cases, biliary colic in 60% and obstructive jaundice occurred in 14.09% of patients. The clinical diagnosis of cholelithiasis was confirmed by radiological examinations by laboratory, oral and I.V. Cholangiogram, and Ultrasound. These included liver function tests. All cases had cholecystectomy. This was carried out electively in 95.34% of patients, and as an emergency in only 4.63% of cases. Exploration of the CBD was performed in 14.09% of patients. Choledochoduodenostomy in 0.44% and sphincterotomy. Sphincteroplasty in another 0.44% of cases. There was no operative mortality, and post op complications occurred in 14.53% of patients.