[Lithogenic properties of bile in cholelithiasis]

To specify lithogenic properties of bile in cholelithiasis as well as the effect of cholecystectomy on biochemical composition of bile, 168 patients with cholelithiasis have been examined. Fifty patients underwent preoperative investigation, some of them were followed up for 1-2 years after cholecystectomy (group 1). The rest postcholecystectomy patients were followed up for 10 years (group 2). Bile levels of cholesterol were evaluated by absolute and relative lipid concentrations. The conclusion is made on the absence of a direct correlation between bile cholesterol supersaturation and cholelithiasis as the above supersaturation occurs in healthy subjects as well. It is noticed that cholecystectomy does not warrant discontinuation of cholesterol supersaturation of bile.