[Ultrasonic study of gallbladder motility during exclusive continuous enteral feeding]

Total parenteral nutrition may be responsible for gallbladder sludge and lithiasis which might possibly be related to gallbladder bile stasis. Gallbladder motility has not yet been studied during constant-rate enteral nutrition. We performed serial ultrasonographic studies of gallbladder volume and contents in ten patients receiving constant-rate enteral nutrition during 35 +/- 17 days. Each patient had two weekly examinations at 9 AM and 2 PM on the same day. None of the patients developed gallbladder sludge or lithiasis. The gallbladder was frequently seen to be contracted. Mean gallbladder volume during constant-rate enteral nutrition was not significantly different from mean gallbladder volume after Bladex. Individual gallbladder volume changed significantly from one measurement to another. This study showed that gallbladder motility is preserved during constant-rate enteral nutrition. The persistence of gallbladder contractions may prevent the development of biliary sludge ad lithiasis.