[What determines the prognosis following cholecystectomy: anamnesis, surgical findings, postoperative complications?]

In 346 patients followed up 6, 12, 24 and 48 months after cholecystectomy the clinical results (VISICK and self-assessment) were very good in over 80%, 1% had symptoms due to organic disturbances and 15-20% had mostly mild symptoms (pain, fullness, food tolerance) without detectable causes. These functional disorders were found frequently in female patients with long preoperative history and frequent attacks of pain. Age of patient, character of pain, therapy before the operation, postoperative complications or change of body weight showed no correlation with later results. The results were almost always good in patients with acute pancreatitis or acute cholecystitis before the operation, or who underwent choledochotomy.