Is hyperkinetic gallbladder an indication for cholecystectomy?

The (99m) technetium-labelled hepato imino diacetic acid (HIDA) scan is widely used to evaluate patients with biliary colic with a normal trans-abdominal ultrasound scan. Most studies recommend cholecystectomy for patients with biliary dyskinesia, defined by gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) of less than 35-40% on HIDA scan. There are no recommendations regarding management of hyperkinetic gallbladder defined by GBEF of greater than 80% on HIDA scan. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcomes following cholecystectomy on patients with biliary colic associated with hyperkinetic gallbladder.

We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with biliary colic associated with hyperkinetic gallbladder that underwent cholecystectomy in our practice from July 2014 to February 2018. Data collection included age, gender, body mass index, preoperative symptoms, comorbidities, additional tests, ejection fraction, surgery, and histopathology of the gallbladder. Symptomatic improvement was assessed during routine 2-week postoperative visit and a follow-up phone interview.

Thirty-two patients had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the study period for symptomatic hyperkinetic gallbladder. All the patients had abdominal pain related to food intake and 17 (53%) patients had worsening of symptoms with CCK infusion. The average GBEF was 92%. Chronic cholecystitis was seen in 29 (90%) patients on pathology. 23 (74%) patients had complete resolution of biliary symptoms, 5 (16%) had improved symptoms, and 3 (10%) had no change in symptoms.

Patients with biliary colic and hyperkinetic gallbladder respond favorably to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Our results suggest that patients with biliary colic in the setting of hyperkinetic gallbladder have symptomatic improvement following cholecystectomy.